Nigeria Receives Long-Acting HIV Prevention Drug Lenacapavir

LAGOS, Nigeria – Nigeria has received its first batch of 11,520 doses of Lenacapavir, marking a major step in expanding HIV prevention options.

The shipment, donated by the Global Fund, was delivered at a medical store in Lagos.

According to Mohammed Patiko, the drug will be rolled out in eight pilot locations, including the Federal Capital Territory.

“We are expecting 52,000 doses in total across three batches,” he says.

Lenacapavir, recommended by the World Health Organization, is administered twice yearly, offering a more convenient alternative to daily oral prevention drugs.

“It is taken twice a year, making compliance easier,” Patiko adds.

The drug targets high-risk groups and will be provided free under a pilot programme.

Nigeria, with nearly two million people living with HIV, aims to reduce new infections and meet elimination targets by 2030.

Health officials say the introduction strengthens the country’s prevention strategy and improves adherence outcomes.

Experts emphasise the need for counselling and monitoring to ensure safe and effective use.

About the Author

Hussaini Ibrahim

Author

Hussaini Ibrahim is a journalist with Africa Health Report (AHR), covering Northern Nigeria with a focus on public health, the environment, and development. He holds a B.A. (Ed) in English from Northwest University, Kano, and brings several years of professional reporting experience. Passionate about accountability and social justice, he specialises in people-centred stories that expose the impact of policies on communities while amplifying the voices of those often excluded from decision-making. X (Twitter): @Mohamme85500159

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