HIV Prevention Drug to Arrive in Nigeria in March – FG

By Emmanuel Kwada

The Federal Government has announced that consignments of Lenacapavir, a revolutionary long-acting drug for HIV prevention, will arrive in Nigeria in March 2026.

In a statement issued on Monday, the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) confirmed that preparations are actively underway for the introduction and phased rollout of Lenacapavir (LEN) as a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option.

Lenacapavir, developed by Gilead Sciences, is administered as an injection twice a year and has shown near-complete protection against HIV in global clinical trials, with some studies reporting zero infections among participants.

NACA emphasized that the government is working to ensure a “structured and quality-assured rollout” of the new prevention tool, targeting priority states with high HIV burden.

The initial phase will focus on ten high-priority states: Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Gombe, Kano, Kwara, and Lagos.

“Commodities are expected in country in March 2026,” the statement read, highlighting coordinated efforts involving health authorities to integrate the drug effectively into Nigeria’s HIV prevention strategy.

This development comes amid broader efforts to expand access to long-acting PrEP options in sub-Saharan Africa, supported by international partners such as the Global Fund and PEPFAR. Lenacapavir has already begun rolling out in a few African countries like South Africa, Eswatini, and Zambia following regulatory approvals and donations.

Nigeria’s move to introduce Lenacapavir marks a significant step forward in the fight against HIV/AIDS, potentially improving adherence for at-risk populations compared to daily oral PrEP regimens.

Health experts view the twice-yearly injection as a game-changer, especially in addressing challenges like pill fatigue and access barriers in resource-limited settings.

NACA urged continued collaboration among stakeholders to ensure equitable distribution and uptake once the drug arrives.

The agency reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to ending AIDS as a public health threat through innovative prevention tools like Lenacapavir.