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The Nigerian government has begun the rollout of a long-acting HIV prevention injection, Lenacapavir, in eight states, but pregnant women will not use it due to insufficient safety data.
The rollout covers Anambra, Ebonyi, Gombe, Kwara, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Benue, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as part of efforts to expand access to innovative HIV prevention options.
The Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Temitope Ilori, said at a briefing on Monday in Abuja that while global trials indicate the drug is largely safe, evidence is insufficient to support its use during pregnancy.
“Even though LenPrEP is considered very safe based on global studies, it is not recommended for pregnant women. It is important to emphasise that this is a preventive intervention, not a treatment,” she said.
Lenacapavir, developed by Gilead Sciences, is a long-acting injectable antiretroviral administered once every six months as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
It offers an alternative to daily oral pills, particularly for individuals who struggle with adherence.
Health officials cautioned that the drug does not protect against other infections or unwanted pregnancy.
Ilori said: “We must stress that it does not prevent sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancy or other infections like hepatitis. People must continue to take comprehensive precautions.”
Nigeria ranks fourth globally for HIV burden, with an estimated 1.9 million people living with the virus, according to NACA.
While access to antiretroviral therapy has improved, gaps remain, especially among young people and key populations facing stigma, limited awareness, and inconsistent access to prevention services.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, said Nigeria was selected as one of nine early adopter countries by the Global Fund.
He noted that 52,000 doses of Lenacapavir have been provided to support the drug’s introduction and that preparations are underway for national and facility-level rollout.
“About 52,000 doses of Lenacapavir have been provided to catalyse its introduction into our arsenal for HIV prevention and control,” he said.
Salako also added that the injection is a prevention option for HIV-negative individuals at substantial risk, not a treatment, and that the rollout will follow a phased approach to monitor safety outcomes.
The National Coordinator of the National HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STDs Control Programme (NASCP), Adebobola Bashorun, said Lenacapavir complements existing prevention options, including oral PrEP and long-acting injectable cabotegravir, and has so far only caused mild injection-site pain in some recipients.
He stated that the availability of the drug should not encourage risky behaviour, noting that national policy will guide its integration into existing HIV prevention programmes.
“We already have multiple prevention options. Individuals can still use oral PrEP. National policy guidelines will determine how best to integrate this new option into existing programmes,” he said.
