By Laraba MUREY with Agency
Nigerians have begun scrambling for Lenacapavir, a newly introduced injection for the prevention of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, ahead of its nationwide rollout.
Sunday PUNCH reports that many individuals, particularly those aware of pre-exposure prophylaxis, have been approaching health facilities and non-governmental organisations across states in a bid to access it.
The development comes as the Federal Government begins deploying the twice-yearly HIV prevention medication in selected pilot states amid rising demand and growing public interest.
Nigeria HIV statistics, Lenacapavir
Lenacapavir is a twice-yearly injectable HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis drug developed by Gilead Sciences and recommended by the World Health Organisation as an additional PrEP option.
It offers a long-acting alternative to daily HIV prevention pills.
The WHO’s endorsement in July 2025 marked a milestone in global HIV prevention strategy as the organisation urged nations to incorporate the injectable into broader prevention programmes.
Based on 2024-2025 estimates from the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA, and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, there are approximately two million people living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.
The Federal Government, through the National HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STDs Control Programme at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, announced the receipt of the HIV prevention injection on March 11.
The Federal Government is expecting a total of 52,000 doses, out of which 11,520 have been delivered.
Nine states of Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi, Gombe, Kano, Kwara, and Lagos, as well as the Federal Capital Territory, have been listed as pilot locations for the rollout of the injection expected to be unveiled on March 24 across the states and the FCT.
Findings revealed that health workers are currently undergoing training on standard procedures and guidelines for administering the PrEP. For now, the injection, though free, is not yet available in pharmacies.
Our correspondents gathered that the HIV pre-exposure injection would be administered at designated health centres, including general hospitals across the pilot states.
Benue, Osun, Anambra top in demands
A leader of the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, a non-governmental organization said that many people had been requesting the injection.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “Within the HIV community response, there is awareness and high demand for Len PrEP. Discordant couples (people living with HIV with negative partners) are seriously demanding it. Relatives of people living with HIV have also been approaching us and the health centres we use to request the injection.”
The Osogbo-based HIV-positive official disclosed that Osun State had also been included among the pilot states.
“Initially, Osun was not part of the pilot states, but preparations are now underway for the administration of the injection,” she said.
Similarly, an NGO worker in Anambra State, Rose, (surname withheld), said there was high demand for Len PrEP among residents.
She disclosed that the injection had been received and was being distributed across local government areas in the state.
“I can confirm that the drug is currently in Anambra, and the priority groups are discordant couples and individuals at risk of exposure. We are not selling it because we received it at no cost from our sponsors, including the Institute of Human Virology of Nigeria.
“People have been asking for PrEP even before its arrival, often believing it is a cure rather than a preventive measure. HIV prevalence in Anambra is quite high. In my local government alone, we’ve recorded about 100 cases.
“So, there is strong interest, but many people are seeking it under the misconception that it cures HIV,” she said.
In Benue State, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ogwuche, said the state general hospital in North Bank had been selected as the designated facility for the inauguration of the Len PrEP, which would take place on Tuesday.
Ogwuche, who said the injection would be administered free of charge, confirmed that there was high demand for it, especially among health workers seeking preventive measures.
“It is free, and there is strong demand, even among health workers, for preventive purposes,” he said.
Injection not HIV cure
A non-governmental organisation working on HIV/AIDS prevention in the country, Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme, said the injection does not cure HIV-positive patients but only prevents infection in individuals who are not yet infected.
According to the group, the injection should also not be taken by pregnant women, adding that the government has been training those who will administer the drug.
“It is not a cure for HIV. If someone is already infected, that person will require lifelong antiretroviral therapy. This injectable drug is strictly for prevention.”
The Civil Society for HIV/AIDS in Nigeria described the injection as a “pre-exposure prophylaxis inhibitor” designed to prevent HIV infection among individuals at risk.
A top official of the group, Tunde Omole, clarified that the injection works in the bloodstream to prevent the virus from establishing infection after exposure.
Also, the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Ayuba Tanko, urged caution, warning that enthusiasm must not outpace regulatory due process.
According to him, while the twice-yearly injection represents a major advancement in HIV prevention, its deployment in the country must strictly follow national drug safety protocols.
Tanko explained that the country’s regulatory agencies, particularly NAFDAC, must complete comprehensive assessments before the drug is widely introduced.
He disclosed that the PSN had inaugurated a committee to review the injection and advise the Federal Government.
