KEY POINTS

• Nigeria will receive its first consignments of Lenacapavir, a twice-yearly HIV prevention injection, in March 2026.
• NAFDAC has approved the drug, and rollout preparations have been completed in 10 states.
• Healthcare workers have been trained, and awareness materials developed to ensure a smooth and effective introduction.

The Federal Government has announced that consignments of Lenacapavir, a new and highly effective drug for HIV prevention, will arrive in Nigeria in March 2026.

The update was shared by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), which said preparations are already in top gear for the introduction and nationwide rollout of the drug. The move is part of Nigeria’s broader effort to reduce new HIV infections and move closer to ending the epidemic.

Lenacapavir is not the regular daily pill used for HIV prevention. It is a long-acting injectable drug taken only twice a year, once every six months.

Health experts say this makes it a major breakthrough. For many people who struggle to take daily medication consistently, this option could be life-changing.

In clinical trials, Lenacapavir was shown to drastically reduce the risk of HIV infection and offered almost total protection for those who received it as prescribed. Because of its long-acting nature, it removes the pressure of remembering to take pills every day.

Regulatory Approval Already Secured

According to NACA, one major hurdle has already been crossed. The drug has received regulatory approval from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC.

This approval clears the way for legal importation, distribution, and administration of the drug in the country.

With this in place, Nigeria is now on track for a phased and carefully monitored introduction of the injection.

To ensure quality service delivery, NACA has conducted a national Training of Trainers programme in Abuja. This was followed by step-down training sessions for healthcare workers in the selected states.

This means doctors, nurses, and other frontline health workers are already being prepared to administer the injection safely and provide proper guidance to patients.

In addition, Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials have been developed to raise awareness and encourage acceptance of the new prevention method.