The Federal Government has commenced the rollout of a new long-acting HIV prevention injection, Lenacapavir, in a major step to curb new infections, but has restricted its use among pregnant women over safety concerns.
The Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Dr Temitope Ilori, disclosed this on Monday during a media briefing organised by the National HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STDs Control Programme under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in Abuja.
Ilori said although global trials have shown the drug to be largely safe, there is insufficient evidence to support its use during pregnancy.
She said, “Even though Lenacapavir is considered very safe based on global studies, it is not recommended for pregnant women. It is important to emphasise that this is a preventive intervention, not a treatment.”
The new injection, administered once every six months as pre-exposure prophylaxis, is expected to improve adherence among individuals at high risk of HIV infection compared to daily oral pills.
The government said the initial rollout would take place in eight states—Anambra, Ebonyi, Gombe, Kwara, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Benue—and the Federal Capital Territory as part of a phased implementation strategy.
Speaking at the briefing, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, said Nigeria was selected as one of nine early adopter countries by the Global Fund after indicating interest in 2025.
He revealed that about 52,000 doses of the injection had been secured to support the pilot phase.
Salako said, “The first batch has already arrived, and preparations are ongoing for the national launch and facility-level rollout across the selected states.”
He added that the introduction of the drug marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s effort to end HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
The minister stressed that Lenacapavir is strictly for HIV-negative individuals at substantial risk and does not serve as a cure or treatment for the virus.
He explained that the phased rollout would enable health authorities to closely monitor safety outcomes before expanding the programme nationwide.
According to him, implementation will be guided by the National Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Implementation Plan (2025–2028), which covers service delivery, supply chain, financing and community engagement.
On sustainability, Salako said the government was exploring local production options through partnerships with manufacturers, including potential technology transfer arrangements to reduce reliance on foreign donors.
Also speaking, the National Coordinator of NASCP, Dr Adebobola Bashorun, described the injection as an addition to existing HIV prevention options rather than a replacement.
He noted that individuals could still rely on oral PrEP and other preventive methods, stressing that national guidelines would determine how the new drug is integrated into current programmes.
Health experts at the briefing cautioned that the injection does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections, hepatitis or unintended pregnancy, urging continued use of condoms and regular testing.
Nigeria currently ranks among countries with the highest HIV burden globally, with about 1.9 million people living with the virus, according to NACA.
Despite improvements in access to antiretroviral therapy, experts say gaps in prevention—particularly among young people and vulnerable populations—continue to drive new infections, amid stigma, low awareness and limited access to services.
Officials also warned that the availability of the new injection should not encourage risky sexual behaviour, noting that only mild injection-site pain has been observed as a common side effect so far.
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