The Kwara State Government, in collaboration with the Global Fund, on Tuesday in Ilorin, flagged off the administration of Lenacapavir, a free long-acting injectable drug for HIV prevention.
The initiative aims to strengthen prevention efforts and accelerate progress towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
Speaking at the event, the Kwara State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina El-Imam, described the initiative as “not just the introduction of a new medical intervention, but a bold step forward in our collective fight against HIV.”
El-Imam noted that Kwara, like many parts of Nigeria, still faces a significant HIV burden. She said recent programmatic data estimate HIV prevalence at about 0.8 per cent among the general population, with higher rates among key populations.
“While testing and treatment services have improved, gaps remain in prevention, particularly for vulnerable groups,” she said.
“Lenacapavir is a groundbreaking innovation administered as a long-acting injection twice yearly,” the commissioner added.
According to her, the drug targets the HIV capsid to prevent viral replication and directly addresses one of the biggest challenges in HIV control — adherence to daily medication. She explained that the drug is especially beneficial for people who face barriers to daily oral PrEP, including stigma, limited access to health services, and difficulty maintaining consistent medication routines.
El-Imam stated that the state is expanding community-based HIV prevention programmes, strengthening facility-level service delivery, and integrating HIV services into primary healthcare.
“The addition of Lenacapavir is expected to enhance these efforts by providing a more convenient and effective prevention option,” she said.
The commissioner reaffirmed the state’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to the life-saving intervention. She said the government would work with development partners, implementing agencies, and community stakeholders to raise awareness, train healthcare workers, and ensure efficient delivery across the state.
Speaking on the sidelines, the Coordinator of Society for Family Health in Kwara, Dr. Owen Omede, said the intervention represents a major advancement in HIV prevention. He noted that the long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) could significantly improve adherence, especially among individuals who struggle with daily oral HIV prevention drugs.
In his remarks, the Director of Public Health, Dr. Oluwatosin Fakayode, disclosed that Kwara is among the eight pilot states in Nigeria selected for the Lenacapavir rollout. He described the programme as a groundbreaking free long-acting injectable HIV prevention drug for eligible individuals.
Fakayode added that the initiative was nationally launched in March 2026 by the Coordinating Minister of Health, with the goal of improving adherence to PrEP through a convenient injection administered only twice a year.
The State Coordinator for AIDS, Hepatitis and Other STIs Control Programme, Dr. Muhammed AbdulRasheed, said the long-acting injectable HIV prevention drug provides a highly effective alternative to daily pills for individuals at high risk. He noted that the injections, administered by healthcare providers, significantly reduce the risk of HIV acquisition and help overcome barriers such as adherence challenges and stigma.
AbdulRasheed added that the introduction of the medication demonstrates Nigeria’s continued dedication to adopting innovative and evidence-based strategies aimed at accelerating progress toward HIV epidemic control.
