By Bunmi Yekini
Nigeria has begun rolling out a long-acting HIV prevention drug, Lenacapavir, in a move officials say could significantly reduce new infections and accelerate efforts to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said on Monday the introduction of the twice-yearly injectable drug marked a major milestone in the country’s HIV response.
Speaking at a media briefing organised by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare through the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme, Salako said Lenacapavir, also known as Len PrEP, offers a more convenient and potentially more effective alternative to daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), particularly for high-risk populations.
“The introduction of this innovation represents a major milestone in Nigeria’s HIV prevention response,” Salako said. “It will expand access to prevention services and accelerate progress towards ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.”
He said the government had undertaken extensive preparations ahead of the rollout, including policy reviews, regulatory approvals, procurement and the selection of pilot states based on data. Health workers across national and sub-national levels have also been trained, while awareness campaigns are being intensified.
The rollout will begin in selected facilities across eight states, with a national launch planned to formally kick-start implementation.
National Coordinator of the programme, Adebobola Bashorun, said the initiative is being driven at the highest levels of government and aims to expand prevention options for Nigerians.
He clarified that the drug, sometimes referred to as “LEND”, is not a cure for HIV but a preventive intervention administered twice a year to reduce the risk of infection.
“This is about prevention and expanding options for Nigerians. With proper awareness and collaboration, we can significantly reduce new infections,” Bashorun said, adding that authorities would continue to engage the public on safety, side effects and eligibility.
Key partners supporting the rollout include the World Health Organization and The Global Fund, alongside other donor agencies.
Director of Public Health, Charles Nzelu, said the twice-yearly dosing could improve adherence and reduce the risk of drug resistance by eliminating the burden of daily medication.
Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Temitope Ilori, said the drug would complement existing prevention strategies and strengthen Nigeria’s multi-layered response, particularly among vulnerable groups.
A representative of The Global Fund, Margaret Zamzu, praised Nigeria’s leadership in adopting the innovation and expressed confidence in its ability to scale up implementation.
Community groups also welcomed the development. Chairperson of the Nigeria Key Population Health and Rights Network, Aseme Josephine, described the drug as a long-awaited breakthrough for vulnerable populations.
She said adherence to daily oral PrEP had been a challenge for many, noting that the new option could significantly improve uptake. Josephine added that she had volunteered to be among the first recipients to encourage wider acceptance.
Health experts say the successful implementation of Lenacapavir could position Nigeria among the leading countries adopting innovative HIV prevention strategies and help drive down new infections nationwide.