Nigeria to Introduce Lenacapavir HIV Prevention Drug in 2026

The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) announced that Nigeria will receive lenacapavir, a groundbreaking HIV prevention drug, in March 2026. This drug has demonstrated 100% efficacy in preventing HIV infection during clinical trials.

It will be administered as an injection twice a year, offering a more convenient alternative to daily oral preventive medications. The drug is expected to be available in Nigeria and 119 other low- and middle-income countries at an annual cost of $40 per person, thanks to a voluntary licensing agreement with the government of Nigeria.

This initiative is part of the government's commitment to strengthen HIV prevention and accelerate progress towards epidemic control. NACA highlighted significant milestones achieved, including the completion of a landscape assessment across ten states: Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi, FCT, Gombe, Kano, Kwara, and Lagos.

The regulatory approval from NAFDAC is anticipated, and Nigeria currently has approximately 1.9 million people living with HIV, with a prevalence rate of 1.3% among adults aged 15-49.