Nigeria Anticipates HIV Prevention Injection Rollout, Demand Grows. City, Country — Lagos, Nigeria — Interest in a new long-acting HIV prevention injection, Lenacapavir, is soaring in Nigeria ahead of its official nationwide rollout. Health workers and community organizations are reporting a surge in requests for the twice-yearly injectable drug, which is designed to prevent HIV infection and offers an alternative to daily preventive pills.
Developed by Gilead Sciences and endorsed by the World Health Organisation in 2025, Lenacapavir is generating significant interest among the Nigerian public.
The Nigerian government has initiated the drug’s introduction in selected pilot states, with an official launch anticipated this week. Authorities have distributed over 11,000 doses so far, out of a planned 52,000, with the rollout initially targeting Lagos, Kano, Benue, and the federal capital, Abuja.
The injection will be provided free of charge at designated public health facilities, rather than through private pharmacies. Civil society groups and frontline health workers are noting strong demand, especially among those at higher risk of HIV exposure, such as couples where one partner is HIV-positive.
However, some organizations are raising concerns about widespread misunderstandings regarding the drug’s purpose.
Many believe it can cure HIV, whereas it is solely intended to prevent infection in HIV — negative individuals. “People are asking for it even before it becomes widely available, but some think it’s a treatment rather than prevention, “one health worker observed.
Nigeria bears one of the largest HIV burdens globally, with an estimated two million people living with the virus.
Medical professionals have welcomed the innovation but emphasize the importance of a careful rollout. Pharmacists and regulators are urging strict safety and quality checks before broader distribution.
Authorities have also issued guidance on its use, noting that it is currently approved only for non — pregnant individuals.
Despite these concerns, public health advocates argue that early adoption could significantly reduce new infections, particularly among high — risk groups, if awareness improves and access expands nationwide.
