FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO LAUNCH HIV PREVENTION INJECTION PROGRAM AS 52,000 DOSES ARE DELIVERED
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By: Muftau Fatimo
The Federal Government has revealed plans to introduce a new long-acting HIV prevention injection, Lenacapavir, as part of efforts to fast-track the elimination of HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, said the move underscores the government’s commitment to reinforcing Nigeria’s HIV response through innovation, broader prevention strategies, and increased domestic funding.
Salako disclosed this on Monday at a media briefing organised by the National HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STDs Control Programme under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in Abuja.
“The government of Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains dedicated to ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 through a comprehensive, multi-sectoral strategy that emphasises expanded prevention, treatment, and care services,” he said.
Nigeria has been chosen by the Global Fund as one of nine early adopter countries to introduce Lenacapavir for pre-exposure prophylaxis, with rollout expected to begin in January 2026.
He stated, “Approximately 52,000 doses of the injectable medication have been secured to support the initial phase of implementation.”
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Lenacapavir, a long-acting antiretroviral, is administered once every six months, representing a major shift from daily oral PrEP regimens that have faced adherence challenges, especially among high-risk groups.
Nigeria has the second-largest HIV epidemic in the world, with an estimated 1.9 million people living with the virus, according to the National Agency for the Control of AIDS.
Although prevalence has decreased in recent years, new infections continue to pose a significant public health challenge.
Experts note that prevention remains the weakest aspect of Nigeria’s HIV response.
While oral PrEP is available, its uptake has been low due to stigma, limited access, and challenges with maintaining daily use.
Health economists caution that without more robust prevention efforts, Nigeria could face a continuous rise in new infections, putting further pressure on already stretched treatment resources.
Salako said the introduction of Lenacapavir represents a major advancement in HIV prevention, particularly for key and vulnerable populations.
“One of such advancements is the introduction of long-acting injectable PrEP, which expands Nigeria’s HIV prevention toolkit and provides additional prevention options for individuals at substantial risk of HIV acquisition,” he said.
Also addressing the gathering, the National Coordinator of the National AIDS and STDs Control Programme, Adebobola Bashorun, revealed that the Federal Government is working to expand access to Lenacapavir across additional states.
“As we scale up, we are exploring catalytic funding to increase the number of doses and broaden coverage for populations most at risk,” Bashorun stated.
He emphasized that Lenacapavir is intended to complement, not replace, existing HIV prevention methods such as oral pre-exposure prophylaxis.
“We already have several prevention options in place. Individuals can continue using oral PrEP, and national policy guidelines will guide how best to integrate this new option into current programmes,” he added.
Regarding safety, Bashorun noted that reported side effects have been mild, mostly limited to injection-site reactions.
“The most common side effect is pain at the injection site, which is expected. We are closely monitoring for any adverse reactions, and so far, the results are encouraging,” he said.
Earlier, Salako highlighted that the rollout of Lenacapavir in Nigeria is being supported by the Global Fund.
“This medication is being provided through a partnership with the Global Fund. In the future, we plan to engage manufacturers directly and explore options for local production,” Salako said.
He added that discussions on technology transfer and domestic manufacturing will be essential for ensuring long-term sustainability and decreasing reliance on external donors.
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