The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has announced the rollout of a groundbreaking long-acting HIV prevention drug, describing it as a major milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to end AIDS as a public health threat.
Speaking at a media parley on Monday in Abuja, organised by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare through the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), Salako said the introduction of Lenacapavir (Len PrEP) would significantly strengthen HIV prevention strategies in the country.
He explained that the drug, administered twice yearly, offers a more effective and convenient alternative to daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), particularly for high-risk and vulnerable populations.
“The introduction of this innovation represents a major milestone in Nigeria’s HIV prevention response.
It will expand access to prevention services and accelerate progress towards ending HIV/ AIDS as a public health threat by 2030,” the minister said.
Salako disclosed that extensive preparatory work had been undertaken ahead of the rollout, including policy reviews, regulatory approvals, procurement of commodities, and selection of pilot states based on data-driven analysis.
He added that healthcare workers at national, state and facility levels have been trained to ensure efficient coordination, service delivery and reporting, while awareness campaigns are being intensified to drive demand.
According to him, the rollout will commence across selected facilities in eight states, with a national launch scheduled to officially kick-start implementation.
Further explaining the initiative, the National Coordinator of the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), Adebobola Bashorun, said the rollout is being driven at the highest level of government, with the Minister of State for Health taking the lead in its implementation.
He noted that the media engagement was designed to provide clarity on the drug, its benefits and address possible concerns from the public.
According to him, key stakeholders, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), development partners and donor agencies such as the The Global Fund, are actively supporting Nigeria’s efforts.
Bashorun clarified that the drug, popularly referred to as ‘LEND’ (Lenacapavir), is not a cure for HIV but a preventive intervention administered twice yearly, aimed at reducing new infections, particularly among high-risk populations.
He stressed that experts and government officials would continue to engage the public on critical issues such as safety, side effects and eligibility, assuring that a coordinated approach is in place to ensure effective rollout.
“This is about prevention and expanding options for Nigerians. With proper awareness and collaboration, we can significantly reduce new infections,” he said.
Earlier, Director of Public Health at the ministry, Charles Nzelu, described the introduction of the drug as long overdue, noting that it would improve adherence and reduce the risk of drug resistance.
He said the twice-yearly dosing eliminates the burden of daily medication, thereby increasing compliance among users.
Also speaking, Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Temitope Ilori, said the innovation comes at a critical time and would complement existing prevention strategies.
She noted that the new drug would particularly benefit highrisk populations and strengthen the country’s multi-layered approach to HIV prevention.
In her remarks, a representative of the Global Fund, The Global Fund, Margaret Zamzu, commended Nigeria’s leadership in adopting the innovation, expressing confidence in the country’s capacity to scale up implementation.
Stakeholders and community representatives also welcomed the development, describing it as a game-changer that would encourage wider participation in HIV prevention programmes.
The media parley was convened to equip journalists with accurate information on the new drug and Nigeria’s rollout strategy, while fostering collaboration between health authorities, partners and the media.
Health experts believe that the successful implementation of Lenacapavir could significantly reduce new HIV infections and position Nigeria among leading countries in innovative HIV prevention.
Adding the voice of the community, Chairperson of the Nigeria Key Population Health and Rights Network, Aseme Josephine, described the rollout of Lenacapavir (Len PrEP) as a long-awaited breakthrough for vulnerable groups.
She noted that many individuals within key populations had struggled with adherence to daily oral PrEP, making the introduction of a twice-yearly preventive option both timely and transformative.
Drawing from personal experience, Josephine revealed that she had previously used oral PrEP but found it difficult to sustain, a challenge she said is common across the community.
She expressed optimism that the new drug would significantly improve uptake and compliance, disclosing her willingness to personally lead by example.
“I have volunteered to be among the first to take it. This will encourage others in the community to come forward and enroll because it is effective,” she said.
Josephine added that beyond individual protection, the intervention offers a critical opportunity to reduce new HIV infections across Nigeria, stressing that community-led awareness and demand creation would be key to the success of the rollout.
(Independent)
