The Federal Government says it has committed 346 million dollars in co-financing in 2026 to support HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria programmes.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, disclosed this at the national launch of Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable for HIV prevention.
The launch was organised by the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Control Programme (NASCP) on Tuesday in Abuja.
He said the funding, approved by President Bola Tinubu, would be captured in the 2026 national budget to strengthen critical health interventions.
“In the context of this major bilateral funding, the co-financing for 2026 is an additional 346 million dollars.
“Mr President has already directed the Budget Office of the Federation to ensure that it is captured in the 2026 budget,” Pate said.
He explained that the funding would cover commodity costs, laboratory surveillance, reagents, primary healthcare expansion, and financial protection for Nigerians.
“That means that commodity costs, laboratory surveillance, reagents, primary healthcare, and expansion of financial protection will be included,” he said.
Pate said the move reflects Nigeria’s shift toward stronger domestic financing amid declining global health funding and changing international priorities.
“The global space is changing right before our eyes. Financing has become limited globally and constrained in many countries, including Nigeria.
“While we have recorded tremendous success over the last 25 years, thanks to global partnerships, the headwinds we are facing in the changing global landscape compel us to think differently,” he said.
Pate emphasised the need for innovation and efficiency, noting that new tools like Lenacapavir would help Nigeria consolidate gains in HIV, TB, and malaria control.
He said the government is adopting a sector-wide approach to improve efficiency, reduce fragmentation, and maximise limited resources across all levels of the health system.
He added that Nigeria’s long-term goal is to reduce dependence on external funding and increase domestic ownership of health programmes.
“By 2030, Nigeria should be able to deploy its own domestic resources toward priority diseases instead of relying on external grants,” Pate said.
He said more than 90 per cent of Nigeria’s health spending is already domestically financed, while external funding remains largely catalytic.
Pate also called on civil society and stakeholders to ensure that allocated funds are not only approved but released and effectively utilised.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, said Nigeria has made significant progress in HIV response indicators in recent years.
Salako said 93 per cent of people living with HIV now know their status, while 99 per cent of those diagnosed are on sustained antiretroviral therapy.
He added that 95 per cent of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression, while prevention of mother-to-child transmission coverage increased from 33 per cent in 2023 to nearly 70 per cent in 2025.
“As we progress toward epidemic control, the need to intensify prevention strategies remains critical,” Salako said.
He described Lenacapavir as a transformative innovation that offers high efficacy, convenience, and discretion, particularly for individuals facing adherence challenges.
He, however, emphasised that behavioural prevention remains essential.
“Abstinence or avoiding risky behaviours, mutual fidelity, and consistent condom use remain key to HIV prevention.
“If you know you are at risk for HIV, get tested.
“If your result is positive, ensure immediate commencement of treatment at a health facility with highly active antiretroviral therapy.
“If you are negative but at high risk, commence oral preventive medications or injections for PrEP, such as Cabotegravir and the newly launched Lenacapavir, under appropriate medical guidance,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ms Daju Kachollom, said the introduction of the drug marks a major advancement in HIV prevention in Nigeria.
“This long-acting injectable offers new hope, particularly for populations at higher risk,” Kachollom said.
She said the innovation aligns with Nigeria’s strategy to expand prevention options, reduce new infections, and accelerate progress toward epidemic control.
Lenacapavir is a long-acting injectable antiretroviral administered twice yearly for HIV prevention among high-risk HIV-negative individuals.
Anambra, Ebonyi, Gombe, Kwara, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Benue, and the Federal Capital Territory have been selected for the initial rollout of the injection.
