Begins roll-out of long-acting injectable Lenacapavir in FCT

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 through strengthened domestic financing, expanded prevention, treatment and care services, and the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Nigeria.
To this end, the government will, on Tuesday, commence the rollout of the long-acting injectable Lenacapavir for HIV prevention in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

According to the government, about 52,000 doses of Lenacapavir for pre-exposure prophylaxis (LEN PrEP) have been secured to support its introduction into Nigeria’s HIV prevention and control arsenal. Based on programmatic data, Anambra, Ebonyi, Gombe, Kwara, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Benue states, as well as the FCT, have been selected for the initial rollout.
Minister of State for Health, Dr Adekunle Salako, disclosed this in Abuja while briefing journalists on the introduction of Lenacapavir for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in Nigeria. He noted that the country has made significant progress in reducing new HIV infections through the scale-up of prevention programmes.
He added that the introduction of Lenacapavir into the national HIV prevention strategy is expected to further accelerate the reduction of new infections and expand coverage among populations at substantial risk.

He explained that following Nigeria’s expression of interest in March 2025 and subsequent approval by the ministry for the adoption of Lenacapavir (LEN PrEP), the country was selected by the Global Fund as one of nine early adopter nations for its introduction beginning in January 2026.
Salako stressed that PrEP remains one of the most impactful biomedical tools for preventing HIV infection, and its strategic expansion is essential for sustaining national gains and accelerating progress toward epidemic control.
According to him, the introduction of Lenacapavir represents a major milestone in Nigeria’s HIV prevention response.

As one of the early adopter countries, he said Nigeria’s successful implementation of the drug will significantly strengthen prevention efforts, expand available options for individuals at risk, and accelerate progress toward ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
The minister noted that the medication was provided through a partnership with the Global Fund. He explained that it is intended for HIV-negative individuals who are at higher risk of infection, while cautioning that it is not a license for unprotected sex or other high-risk behaviours.
Providing further insight, Salako described Lenacapavir as a long-acting injectable antiretroviral medication used for HIV PrEP among HIV-negative individuals.

He said the drug is administered once every six months, making it a highly convenient option, particularly for individuals who may struggle with adherence to daily oral PrEP.
He highlighted several programmatic advantages of Lenacapavir, including high efficacy in reducing HIV acquisition risk, a biannual dosing schedule that improves adherence and convenience, a discreet prevention option for key and vulnerable populations, and a safety profile comparable to existing oral PrEP alternatives.
“These attributes make Lenacapavir particularly beneficial for key populations, vulnerable groups, and other individuals at high risk of HIV infection. It will complement existing HIV prevention options, including oral PrEP and long-acting injectable Cabotegravir (CAB-PrEP), thereby expanding prevention choices and enabling individuals to select methods aligned with their preferences and risk profiles,” he said.

The minister added that the ministry will continue to leverage scientific evidence and global best practices to guide policies and interventions aimed at strengthening the national HIV response, while adopting innovative biomedical prevention tools to improve outcomes.
He further noted that to guide the introduction and appropriate use of Lenacapavir in Nigeria, a Rapid Advice document has been developed to complement the 2024 National Guidelines for HIV Prevention, Treatment and Care.
The guidance provides specific recommendations on the use of Lenacapavir among key populations and other individuals at substantial risk of HIV infection.

In his opening remarks, the National Coordinator of the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), Adebobola Bashorun, emphasised that LEN PrEP is not a cure for HIV but a preventive drug administered twice yearly, which has been confirmed to be safe and effective.
Also speaking, Director of Special Projects at the Institute of Human Virology of Nigeria (IHVN), Dr Aderonke Agbaje, described the launch of Lenacapavir (LEN PrEP) as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s HIV prevention efforts, noting that it expands the range of available prevention options.

She explained that while existing methods such as daily oral PrEP are effective, consistent use can be challenging due to issues such as adherence, stigma, and access.
According to her, LEN PrEP introduces a long-acting injectable option administered twice yearly, offering a more convenient and discreet alternative with the potential to improve uptake and adherence, particularly among key and vulnerable populations who may struggle with daily medication.