Nigeria has received long-acting injectable Lenacapavir (LEN) for HIV prevention, marking a new step in efforts to reduce new infections and expand prevention options.
The development was disclosed by Adebobola Bashorun, who heads the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. He said the drug arrived in Nigeria and will be used as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for individuals at risk of HIV infection.
The introduction of the injectable drug was approved by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, with funding support from the Global Fund.
According to Bashorun, Lenacapavir provides a long-acting alternative to daily oral PrEP, which could improve adherence and make HIV prevention more accessible to vulnerable populations. The drug will be integrated into Nigeria’s HIV prevention programmes through collaboration with partners and stakeholders nationwide.
The move comes as Nigeria records progress in tackling HIV. The State of the Nation Health Report 2025 shows new paediatric HIV infections dropped by 50 per cent, while treatment coverage among children rose to 77 per cent from 29 per cent in 2023. The number of children living with HIV also declined from about 100,000 to 67,000, alongside expanded testing for pregnant women and improved prevention of mother-to-child transmission programmes.
Health authorities say the introduction of Lenacapavir underscores Nigeria’s commitment to innovative, evidence-based strategies to strengthen the national HIV response and reduce new infections.
