Relief as HIV prevention drugs set for distribution in Nigeria

Nigeria will receive shipments of Lenacapavir, a new HIV prevention drug that is injected twice a year, in March 2026. This marks a major step in the country’s efforts to reduce new HIV infections.

The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) confirmed the news, saying the federal government is preparing to roll out Lenacapavir as a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option. The drug offers an alternative to daily HIV prevention pills, which have been less widely used.

NACA explained that preparations include:

Regulatory approval by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Assessments in 10 states—Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi, FCT, Gombe, Kano, Kwara, and Lagos—to check service delivery capacity and identify needs.

Training of healthcare workers in Abuja and the selected states.

Awareness campaigns using information and education materials to create demand.

The Director-General of NACA, Temitope Ilori, said the government is committed to making the injection accessible. While Lenacapavir costs about $28,000 per person per year in the United States, generic versions will be available at around $40 per year in low- and middle-income countries through partnerships with Unitaid and the Gates Foundation.

Health experts believe that this long-acting injection could reach more people and improve adherence to HIV prevention, especially among those who find daily pills difficult to maintain.