Nigeria Sees Decline in HIV Cases with New Injection

Nigeria has seen a steady decline in HIV cases, with reported figures dropping from 8,494 in January 2026 to 6,458 in April 2026. This decline coincides with the federal government's initiative to deploy lenacapavir, a long-acting preventive injection for HIV, which was officially received on March 10, 2026.

The government has secured 52,000 doses for an initial rollout phase, with 11,520 doses already delivered to selected states, including Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi, Gombe, Kano, Kwara, and the Federal Capital Territory. The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare described this development as a significant step in Nigeria's efforts to eliminate HIV as a public health threat.

Lenacapavir is recommended by the World Health Organization as a transformative tool in global HIV prevention efforts, providing a highly effective alternative to daily oral pills. The initiative aims to expand access to HIV prevention, particularly among populations struggling with adherence to existing methods.