By Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
ABUJA — The Federal Government has introduced Lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention injection administered once every six months, as part of its strategy to accelerate the reduction of new HIV infections and eliminate the virus as a public health threat by 2030.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, announced the development at a briefing in Abuja on Monday, explaining that the long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) would expand Nigeria’s HIV prevention options, particularly for individuals at high risk of infection.
He disclosed that Nigeria was selected as one of the early adopter countries for the introduction of Lenacapavir starting in 2026, with approximately 52,000 doses provided to support the rollout in collaboration with the Global Fund.
The minister, however, issued a strong warning against the abuse of the drug, clarifying that it is not meant for everyone and should not be seen as a substitute for existing HIV prevention methods.
“It is not a treatment. It is a prevention method meant for people who are HIV-negative but are at higher risk of infection. It is also not a licence for unprotected sex or risky behaviour,” Salako stated.
He explained that the rollout would begin on a controlled scale to ensure proper monitoring of the drug’s effectiveness and possible side effects before expanding nationwide.
“This is a catalytic effort. We are starting on a controlled scale so that surveillance and monitoring will be top-notch before wider introduction,” the minister said.
Salako expressed optimism that the introduction of the long-acting injectable drug would strengthen Nigeria’s effort to eliminate HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
On his part, the National Coordinator of the National AIDS and STIs Control Programme, Dr Adebobola Basorun, emphasised that Lenacapavir would only complement existing prevention methods and should not replace them.
“This drug is not a substitute for the ABC of prevention. People should continue to practise safe behaviour and other preventive measures. If you have an additional risk, then this drug provides another layer of protection,” he said.
He further noted that the programme would closely monitor any reported side effects as the rollout begins, adding that any additional reactions reported in Nigeria would be captured and communicated appropriately.
The Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr Temitope Ilori, described the introduction of Lenacapavir as an important milestone in the country’s HIV response.
“This is an additional prevention option; it is not replacing any of the existing methods. We must continue to emphasise behavioural prevention and public awareness even as new drugs become available,” Ilori said, while urging the media to support public education on HIV prevention.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare said the drug would initially be rolled out in eight states and the Federal Capital Territory, with monitoring and evaluation mechanisms already in place to track progress and ensure safety.
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