Nigeria has recorded a major breakthrough in its fight against HIV with the arrival of the first batch of lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable drug expected to significantly improve prevention efforts and move the country closer to eliminating the disease by 2030.
The Federal Government received the initial shipment on Wednesday at the Federal Central Stores in Oshodi, Lagos. The consignment includes 11,520 doses, forming part of a total of 52,000 doses expected in three phases under a Global Fund-supported programme.
Officials say Nigeria is one of only nine countries selected globally for the early rollout of the drug, highlighting its importance in the global HIV response.
Speaking at the event, the Head of Procurement and Supply Chain Management at the National AIDS and STIs Control Programme, Mohammed Patiko, said the injection is designed to reduce new infections, especially among high-risk groups. These include serodiscordant couples and key populations such as sex workers, men who have sex with men, and transgender persons.
Unlike daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which many users struggle to take consistently, lenacapavir is administered just twice a year, offering a more convenient and potentially more effective option.
The drug will be distributed free of charge during the pilot phase in selected states, including Kwara, Gombe, Ebonyi, Anambra, the Federal Capital Territory, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Benue. Distribution to designated health facilities is expected to begin next week.
Health officials say the introduction of lenacapavir strengthens Nigeria’s broader HIV prevention strategy, which already includes testing campaigns, treatment programmes, and other preventive tools.
Experts also emphasised that while the injection is a major advancement, awareness, proper use, and adherence to treatment remain critical to achieving long-term success.
With about 1.9 million people currently living with HIV in Nigeria, authorities believe innovations like lenacapavir could play a key role in reducing new infections and controlling the spread of the virus in the coming years.
