By Danjuma Amodu | March 23, 2026
The Federal Government of Nigeria has introduced Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable HIV prevention drug administered once every six months, as part of efforts to end HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. This marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s HIV response, with 52,000 doses made available for initial rollout across selected states.
About Lenacapavir
Lenacapavir is designed for HIV-negative individuals, particularly those struggling with daily oral medication adherence. It’s administered twice a year, making it a convenient and discreet prevention option, especially for key and vulnerable populations. The drug has demonstrated high efficacy in reducing the risk of HIV acquisition and has a safety profile comparable to existing oral therapies.
Government’s Commitment to HIV Response
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, Dr. Salako described the rollout of Lenacapavir as a critical step toward expanding prevention, treatment, and care services, while strengthening domestic financing and eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
“The Government of Nigeria remains committed to ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 through a comprehensive and multi-sectoral approach that prioritises the expansion of prevention, treatment and care services,” Dr. Salako said. He emphasized that the introduction of Lenacapavir would expand Nigeria’s HIV prevention options, particularly for individuals at high risk of infection.
Dr. Salako noted that Nigeria was selected as one of the early adopter countries for Lenacapavir, with 52,000 doses provided to support the rollout in collaboration with the Global Fund. He clarified that Lenacapavir is not a treatment, but a prevention method for HIV-negative individuals at higher risk of infection, and should not be seen as a substitute for existing HIV prevention methods.
The Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Dr. Temitope Ilori, welcomed the introduction of Lenacapavir as an important milestone in Nigeria’s HIV response, emphasizing the need for continued public education and awareness on HIV prevention.
Pilot Locations
Nine states – Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi, Gombe, Kano, Kwara, and Lagos – as well as the Federal Capital Territory, have been listed as pilot locations for the rollout. The injection will be administered free of charge at designated health facilities in these states.
Implementation Plans
The National Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Implementation Plan (2025-2028) will guide the rollout of Lenacapavir. The plan includes training of healthcare providers, facility readiness assessments, and community awareness campaigns. The National Coordinator of the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), Dr. Adebobola Bashorun, said the agency will work with partners and stakeholders to ensure the safe introduction and effective integration of Lenacapavir into national HIV prevention options.
Benefits of Lenacapavir
Lenacapavir offers a convenient and discreet prevention option for key and vulnerable populations, with administration twice a year reducing adherence burden. The drug has shown high efficacy in reducing HIV acquisition risk and has a safety profile comparable to existing oral therapies.
Global Recognition
The WHO endorsed Lenacapavir in July 2025, and Nigeria is one of nine early adopter countries globally. Nigeria has approximately 1.9 million people living with HIV, with a national prevalence of 1.3% among adults aged 15-49 years.
Conclusion
The introduction of Lenacapavir marks a significant step forward in Nigeria’s fight against HIV/AIDS. With its convenient administration and high efficacy, Lenacapavir has the potential to accelerate progress toward epidemic control, improve health outcomes, and save lives. As Nigeria scales up this innovative prevention tool, the country is poised to make significant strides toward ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
