By George Omagbemi Sylvester
Nigeria’s Federal Government, through the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), has announced that consignments of the long-acting HIV-prevention drug lenacapavir are expected to arrive in the country in March 2026 as part of an expanded response to the HIV epidemic. The announcement, made on Monday, 2 March 2026, in Abuja, said preparations are underway for the introduction and rollout of lenacapavir as a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option.
Lenacapavir is a twice-yearly injectable PrEP medicine that has been shown in clinical studies to provide near-total protection against HIV infection and offers an alternative to daily oral prevention drugs. It represents a major shift in HIV prevention strategy, especially for populations at high risk and for communities where adherence to daily regimens has been challenging.
Nigeria’s move to secure lenacapavir aligns with broader global efforts to accelerate epidemic control and reduce new infections by broadening prevention choices. Health experts have welcomed the development, noting that long-acting preventive options could help bridge gaps in access and adherence, though they emphasize that effective delivery systems, funding and community engagement will be critical to success.
The Federal Government said the arrival of lenacapavir will bolster existing HIV prevention services and strengthen Nigeria’s commitment to combating HIV/AIDS.
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