Nigeria To Receive HIV Prevention Drug March
Nigeria is set to receive Lenacapavir, a revolutionary HIV prevention drug that has demonstrated 100% effectiveness in clinical trials, the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has announced.
In a statement on Monday, NACA’s Head of Public Relations, Toyin Aderibigbe, said the agency secured regulatory approval from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for the rollout of the drug.
Lenacapavir is an injectable treatment given twice a year, offering a more convenient alternative to daily oral HIV prevention medicines.
It is expected to be available in Nigeria and 119 other low- and middle-income countries at an annual cost of $40 per person, thanks to voluntary licensing agreements with generic manufacturers.
“The Government of Nigeria is advancing preparations for the introduction and rollout of Lenacapavir as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). This is part of the government’s commitment to strengthen HIV prevention and accelerate progress toward epidemic control,” the statement read.
NACA also highlighted milestones, including landscape and readiness assessments completed in ten states: Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi, FCT, Gombe, Kano, Kwara, and Lagos, in addition to obtaining NAFDAC approval.
The agency said the drug is expected in the country by March 2026.
Nigeria currently has about 1.9 million people living with HIV, with a national prevalence of 1.3% among adults aged 15–49.
In 2021, the country recorded 74,000 new HIV infections and 51,000 AIDS-related deaths.
The South-South zone has the highest HIV prevalence at 3.1%, and women aged 15–49 are more than twice as likely to be living with HIV compared to men.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
