The Global Fund said on Tuesday in Abuja that it planned to deliver 179,700 doses of Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable antiretroviral drug, to Nigeria by 2028.

The Country Director of the fund, Mr. Jean-Thomas Nouboussi, said this at the official unveiling of the long-acting HIV prevention drug.

Nouboussi also announced Nigeria as one of nine early adopter countries for Lenacapavir.

He said the rollout, which will begin in eight states and the Federal Capital Territory, reflects a major milestone in expanding access to innovative HIV prevention tools.

“Nigeria is part of the nine adopter countries, and by 2028, Nigeria will receive 179,700 doses,” he said.

He described Lenacapavir as a breakthrough in HIV prevention, particularly in addressing adherence challenges associated with daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis regimens.

“This represents a major advance in HIV prevention because it addresses the difficulty of adherence to daily HIV prevention pills,” Nouboussi said.

He added that the Global Fund aims to reach two million people globally with the drug by 2028, noting that its support to Nigeria is catalytic.

“We expect the government will step in and accelerate deployment across the country,” he said.

The Country Director, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Ms. Tina Bonto, said Nigeria’s early adoption reflects its leadership in HIV prevention.

Bonto noted that Nigeria pioneered the introduction of oral pre-exposure prophylaxis in 2016 and has continued to expand prevention options through strong partnerships.

“There are still about 48,000 new infections yearly, so more effort is needed to close prevention gaps,” she said.

She expressed optimism that Lenacapavir would help accelerate progress toward reducing new infections and achieving epidemic control.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) representative, Dr Alex Chambaru, said Nigeria’s adoption of the drug demonstrates a strong national commitment to integrated, people-centred health services.

“This is a major milestone for Nigeria and the African region,” Chambaru said.

He noted that the drug, recommended globally in 2025, complements existing prevention strategies and should be implemented alongside behavioural interventions.

Chambaru emphasised that achieving HIV and tuberculosis control requires coordinated, multi-sectoral action across health, education, labour and social protection systems.

The Director-General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr Temitope Ilori, described Lenacapavir as a critical innovation in Nigeria’s HIV response.

“This is a prevention strategy, not a treatment, but it will help ensure adherence and reduce new infections,” Ilori said.

She called for sustained collaboration among government, partners and communities to end HIV and tuberculosis as public health threats by 2030.

The Executive Director, Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), Dr Abdulkadir Ibrahim, urged increased domestic funding to sustain progress in the HIV response.

“We have received about 790 million dollars from the Global Fund, and we must match this with in-country resources,” Ibrahim said.

He also called for wider access to Lenacapavir, noting growing demand among community members following its introduction.

“We should make this much more available and accessible so that we can prevent new infections,” he said.

Josephine Aseme, Chairperson of Nigeria Key Population Health and Rights Network, described the rollout as a turning point for vulnerable communities.

Aseme, who is the first Nigerian to receive the Lenacapavir injection, said: “I stand here with hope and purpose.”

She said challenges with daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis, including stigma and access barriers, had limited uptake among many users.

“With Lenacapavir, it changes everything. It gives us a simpler, long-acting option that fits our realities,” she said.

Aseme said her decision to take the injection was informed by the need to encourage wider acceptance and uptake among key populations.

“I am taking it not just for myself, but for every young woman and member of our community who deserves protection,” she said.

Lenacapavir is administered twice yearly for HIV prevention among high-risk HIV-negative individuals.

Its introduction is expected to expand prevention options, improve adherence and accelerate Nigeria’s progress toward ending HIV as a public health threat by 2030. (NAN)