By Erewunmi Peace

Nigeria has commenced the rollout of a long-acting HIV prevention injection, marking a significant milestone in the country’s fight against the epidemic.

The Federal Government has introduced Lenacapavir, an injectable drug administered once every six months, designed to protect individuals at high risk of HIV infection. The rollout will begin in selected states, with priority given to vulnerable populations, including key groups at higher exposure risk.

Health experts highlight that the injection provides an alternative to daily oral PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), offering longer-lasting protection and improved adherence. However, they caution that pregnant women are currently advised not to use the injection due to limited safety data.