Nigeria set to receive groundbreaking HIV prevention drug in March
A groundbreaking injectable drug promises simpler HIV prevention for Nigerians and could change the fight against new infections.
Nigeria has the world’s second-highest HIV/AIDS epidemic, with approximately 1.9 million people living with HIV (PLHIV) and a national prevalence rate of 1.4 percent. Still, the fight against HIV in Nigeria is poised for a leap forward. The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has confirmed that Lenacapavir, a new HIV prevention drug, will arrive in the country in March 2026. Clinical trials show the drug is 100 percent effective in preventing HIV infection.
Lenacapavir is not an everyday pill, It is an injectable treatment given only twice a year, offering a simpler alternative to daily oral medication. This could be a game-changer for many Nigerians.
In a brief statement on Monday, NACA’s Head of Public Relations, Toyin Aderibigbe, said the drug has cleared regulatory approval with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). Thanks to voluntary licensing agreements with generic manufacturers, it will be available in Nigeria and 119 other low- and middle-income countries at just US$40 per person per year.
The rollout is backed by groundwork in ten states, including Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi, FCT, Gombe, Kano, Kwara, and Lagos, where landscape and readiness assessments have been completed. NACA highlighted that regulatory and logistical preparations are in place to ensure the drug reaches those who need it most.
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HIV remains a pressing challenge in Nigeria. About 1.9 million people live with the virus, and the adult prevalence rate sits at 1.3 percent for those aged 15-49. In 2021 alone, the country recorded 74,000 new infections and 51,000 AIDS-related deaths. Women remain disproportionately affected, with those aged 15-49 more than twice as likely as men to be living with HIV. The South-South zone continues to bear the highest prevalence, at 3.1 per cent.
For a country where access and adherence to daily HIV prevention can be difficult, Lenacapavir promises convenience, affordability, and protection. While the fight against HIV is far from over, March 2026 now marks a hopeful milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing effort to curb the epidemic.
