Nigeria Launches Long-Acting HIV Prevention Drug to End AIDS by 2030
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. This ambitious goal will be pursued through strengthened domestic financing, expanded prevention, treatment, and care services, and the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV across Nigeria. As part of this initiative, the government commenced the rollout of the long-acting injectable Lenacapavir for HIV prevention in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Tuesday.
Strategic Rollout and Global Partnership
Approximately 52,000 doses of Lenacapavir for pre-exposure prophylaxis (LEN PrEP) have been secured to support its introduction into Nigeria’s HIV prevention and control arsenal. Based on programmatic data, the initial rollout will target Anambra, Ebonyi, Gombe, Kwara, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Benue states, in addition to the FCT. Minister of State for Health, Dr Adekunle Salako, disclosed these details in Abuja during a briefing on the introduction of Lenacapavir for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in Nigeria.
Dr Salako highlighted that Nigeria has made significant progress in reducing new HIV infections through the scale-up of prevention programmes. The introduction of Lenacapavir into the national HIV prevention strategy is expected to further accelerate the reduction of new infections and expand coverage among populations at substantial risk. Following Nigeria’s expression of interest in March 2025 and subsequent approval by the ministry for the adoption of Lenacapavir, the country was selected by the Global Fund as one of nine early adopter nations for its introduction beginning in January 2026.
Advantages and Implementation of Lenacapavir
Dr Salako stressed that PrEP remains one of the most impactful biomedical tools for preventing HIV infection, and its strategic expansion is essential for sustaining national gains and accelerating progress toward epidemic control. He described Lenacapavir as a long-acting injectable antiretroviral medication used for HIV PrEP among HIV-negative individuals, administered once every six months. This makes it a highly convenient option, particularly for those who may struggle with adherence to daily oral PrEP.
The minister highlighted several programmatic advantages of Lenacapavir, including high efficacy in reducing HIV acquisition risk, a biannual dosing schedule that improves adherence and convenience, a discreet prevention option for key and vulnerable populations, and a safety profile comparable to existing oral PrEP alternatives. "These attributes make Lenacapavir particularly beneficial for key populations, vulnerable groups, and other individuals at high risk of HIV infection," he said. "It will complement existing HIV prevention options, such as oral PrEP and long-acting injectable Cabotegravir (CAB-PrEP), thereby expanding prevention choices and enabling individuals to select methods aligned with their preferences and risk profiles."
Guidance and Future Directions
To guide the introduction and appropriate use of Lenacapavir in Nigeria, a Rapid Advice document has been developed to complement the 2024 National Guidelines for HIV Prevention, Treatment and Care. This guidance provides specific recommendations on the use of Lenacapavir among key populations and other individuals at substantial risk of HIV infection. Dr Salako added that the ministry will continue to leverage scientific evidence and global best practices to guide policies and interventions aimed at strengthening the national HIV response, while adopting innovative biomedical prevention tools to improve outcomes.
In his opening remarks, the National Coordinator of the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), Adebobola Bashorun, emphasised that LEN PrEP is not a cure for HIV but a preventive drug administered twice yearly, which has been confirmed to be safe and effective. Also speaking, Director of Special Projects at the Institute of Human Virology of Nigeria (IHVN), Dr Aderonke Agbaje, described the launch of Lenacapavir as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s HIV prevention efforts, noting that it expands the range of available prevention options.
Dr Agbaje explained that while existing methods such as daily oral PrEP are effective, consistent use can be challenging due to issues such as adherence, stigma, and access. LEN PrEP introduces a long-acting injectable option administered twice yearly, offering a more convenient and discreet alternative with the potential to improve uptake and adherence, particularly among key and vulnerable populations who may struggle with daily medication.
