March 23, (THEWILL) — Nigeria has commenced preparations to deploy Lenacapavir, a groundbreaking long-acting injectable drug for HIV prevention, across eight states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), marking a major step in the country’s drive to curb new infections and end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, disclosed this on Monday during a media briefing in Abuja, confirming that Anambra, Ebonyi, Gombe, Kwara, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Benue, and the FCT were selected for the first phase of the rollout.
Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable antiretroviral, is administered once every six months as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV-negative individuals at substantial risk of infection.
Health experts say the innovation offers a convenient and effective alternative to daily oral prevention drugs, with the potential to significantly improve adherence.
Salako described the initiative as a critical milestone in Nigeria’s HIV response, noting that the country’s selection as one of nine early adopters by the Global Fund followed its expression of interest in March 2025 and subsequent approval.
“About 52,000 doses of Lenacapavir have been provided to catalyse its introduction into our arsenal for HIV prevention and control,” he said, adding that the first batch of the drug had already arrived in the country.
He emphasised that Lenacapavir is strictly a preventive intervention and not a treatment for people living with HIV, cautioning against misconceptions.
“It is not a treatment. It is a prevention. It should not be seen as a licence for risky behaviour,” Salako stressed.
According to him, Nigeria is adopting a phased rollout strategy to ensure careful monitoring of safety outcomes and effectiveness before scaling up nationwide.
“This is a controlled scale of introduction. We need to monitor outcomes and capture any local reactions before scaling up,” he said.
The minister further revealed that a comprehensive National Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Implementation Plan (2025–2028) would guide the programme, covering key areas such as service delivery, supply chain management, financing, and community engagement.
Also speaking, the National Coordinator of the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Control Programme, Dr Adebobola Bashorun, said the rollout plan was informed by programme data and extensive stakeholder collaboration.
“Lenacapavir is not a cure. It is a prevention drug taken twice a year,” Bashorun said, noting that no major adverse effects had been recorded so far, with only mild injection-site pain reported as the most common side effect.
He added that the drug would complement existing prevention methods, including oral PrEP and long-acting injectable cabotegravir, thereby expanding options for at-risk populations.
The Director of Public Health, Dr Charles Nzelu, described the introduction as long overdue, highlighting its potential to improve adherence to HIV prevention strategies.
“With twice-yearly dosing, people will not need to take drugs daily. However, it is not a substitute for other preventive measures,” he said.
Nzelu also disclosed that while the Federal Government is currently funding the initiative, future phases may involve private sector participation to ensure sustainability.
On her part, the Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Dr Temitope Ilori, said Lenacapavir represents a major innovation in Nigeria’s HIV prevention toolkit, particularly for high-risk groups.
“This is a very innovative prevention method that will enhance adherence and compliance,” she said, while cautioning that the drug does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections or unintended pregnancies.
Ilori further noted that the drug is not recommended for pregnant women and must be used as part of a broader combination prevention approach.
Meanwhile, Margaret Zamzu, Disease Fund Manager for Tuberculosis and HIV at the Global Fund, expressed confidence in Nigeria’s capacity to successfully implement the programme, citing the country’s track record in managing large-scale public health interventions.
With preparations underway for a national launch and facility-level rollout, stakeholders say the introduction of Lenacapavir could mark a turning point in Nigeria’s HIV prevention efforts, offering renewed hope in the push to eliminate AIDS as a public health threat within the decade.
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