Nigeria has recorded a decline in reported HIV cases in the first four months of 2026 amid rising demand for the newly introduced twice-yearly HIV prevention injection, Lenacapavir, across several states.
The increasing demand follows the Federal Government’s decision to target eight states and the Federal Capital Territory for the initial implementation of the HIV prevention programme.
Lenacapavir, administered once every six months, is used both for treatment and prevention of HIV infection.
The pilot programme is currently ongoing in Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi, Gombe, Kano and Kwara states, alongside the Federal Capital Territory.
Data obtained from the National Data Repository indicated that reported HIV cases declined steadily between January and April 2026, dropping from 8,494 cases in January to 7,893 in February, 7,814 in March and 6,458 in April.
The decline coincides with the Federal Government’s deployment of Lenacapavir to prevent HIV infection among people considered to be at risk.
Nigeria officially received its first shipment of the injectable medication on March 10, 2026, after securing more than 52,000 doses for the initial rollout phase, with 11,520 doses already delivered into the country.
Announcing the arrival of the medication, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare described the development as another major step toward ending HIV as a public health threat in Nigeria.
“The long-acting injectable provides sustained protection for people at risk of HIV and helps improve adherence to prevention,” the ministry stated through the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme.
Lenacapavir was recommended by the World Health Organization in July 2025 as an additional pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option for HIV prevention.
The recommendation was unveiled during the 13th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science held in Kigali, Rwanda, where the global health body described the injection as a transformative tool in HIV prevention efforts worldwide.
According to the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Lenacapavir represents the first twice-yearly injectable PrEP product and provides a highly effective long-acting alternative to daily oral pills and other shorter-acting prevention methods.
He said, “While an HIV vaccine remains elusive, Lenacapavir is the next best thing: a long-acting antiretroviral shown in trials to prevent almost all HIV infections among those at risk.
“The launch of WHO’s new guidelines, alongside the FDA’s recent approval, marks a critical step forward in expanding access to this powerful tool. WHO is committed to working with countries and partners to ensure this innovation reaches communities as quickly and safely as possible.”
Health authorities noted that the initial rollout would help assess uptake, monitor patient response and identify implementation challenges before expanding the programme nationwide.
Officials added that the introduction of Lenacapavir expands HIV prevention options beyond daily oral prevention pills, particularly for individuals facing adherence challenges, stigma or limited access to healthcare services.
The programme is expected to help reduce the estimated 1.9 million people currently living with HIV in Nigeria, according to the National Agency for the Control of AIDS.
States yet to benefit from the programme include Abia, Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Borno, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara states.
Public health experts say the introduction of the twice-yearly HIV prevention injection could significantly reduce new infections if access to the medication is expanded and sustained nationwide.
