Nigeria has received 11,520 doses of lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable drug designed to prevent HIV infection, marking a significant milestone in the country’s public health efforts.
Gatekeepers News reports that federal government took delivery of the first batch of the medication at the Federal Central Stores in Oshodi, Lagos, as part of a larger shipment supported by the Global Fund.
Health officials said the doses form part of a total of 52,000 expected in three phases, with additional consignments scheduled to arrive in May and October.
Speaking during the handover, Mohammed Patiko of the National AIDS and STIs Control Programme explained that the drug is a preventive tool aimed at reducing new HIV infections, particularly among high-risk groups.
Nigeria is among nine countries selected globally for the early rollout of the injection, highlighting its strategic role in global HIV response efforts.
The treatment will be provided free of charge to eligible individuals in selected pilot states, including Kwara, Gombe, Ebonyi, Anambra, the FCT, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Benue. Distribution is expected to begin within days through designated health facilities.
Unlike traditional daily HIV prevention pills, lenacapavir is administered only twice a year, offering a more convenient option that could improve adherence and expand access to prevention services.
Health authorities say the introduction of the drug strengthens Nigeria’s broader strategy to curb HIV transmission and achieve the goal of eliminating the epidemic by 2030.
