FG to roll out HIV prevention injection as 52,000 doses arrive

The Federal Government has announced plans to introduce a new long-acting HIV prevention injection, Lenacapavir, as part of efforts to eliminate HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, disclosed this on Monday during 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.

He said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s HIV response through innovation, expanded prevention strategies, and increased domestic funding.

“The government of Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 through a comprehensive and multi-sectoral approach that prioritises prevention, treatment, and care,” Salako stated.

Nigeria has been selected by the Global Fund as one of nine early adopter countries for the rollout of Lenacapavir as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), with implementation scheduled to begin in January 2026.

According to Salako, about 52,000 doses of the injectable drug have been secured for the initial phase.

Lenacapavir, a long-acting antiretroviral administered once every six months, offers an alternative to daily oral PrEP, which has faced adherence challenges—especially among high-risk populations.

Nigeria currently has the second-largest HIV burden globally, with about 1.9 million people living with the virus, according to the National Agency for the Control of AIDS. Although prevalence has declined in recent years, new infections remain a major concern.

Experts have identified prevention as the weakest link in Nigeria’s HIV response. While oral PrEP is available, its uptake has been limited due to stigma, access barriers, and the difficulty of maintaining daily use.

Salako described the introduction of Lenacapavir as a major step forward, particularly for vulnerable groups.

“One of such advancements is the introduction of long-acting injectable PrEP, which expands Nigeria’s HIV prevention toolkit and provides additional options for individuals at substantial risk,” he said.

Also speaking, the National Coordinator of the programme, Adebobola Bashorun, said the government is working to expand access across more states.

“As we scale up, we are exploring catalytic funding to increase the number of doses and extend coverage to populations most at risk,” Bashorun noted.

He added that the new injection would complement—not replace—existing prevention methods such as oral PrEP, with national guidelines determining its integration into current programmes.

On safety, Bashorun said reported side effects have been mild, mostly limited to injection-site reactions such as pain.

Salako further explained that the rollout is being supported by the Global Fund, adding that the government is exploring future partnerships with manufacturers and potential local production.

He noted that technology transfer and domestic manufacturing would be key to ensuring long-term sustainability and reducing reliance on external donors.