Prosper Okoye
Nigeria has introduced a long-acting injectable for HIV prevention, to be administered twice yearly, as part of efforts to curb new infections and strengthen its national response.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing in Abuja, noting that the country was selected as one of nine early adopters of the intervention.
“Following Nigeria’s expression of interest in March 2025 and subsequent approvals, about 52,000 doses have been provided to support its rollout in HIV prevention and control programmes nationwide,” he said.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe initiative forms part of the government’s broader plan under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to end HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 through expanded prevention, treatment and healthcare services.
The new intervention, a long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), is designed for HIV-negative individuals at substantial risk of infection. Administered once every six months, it offers an alternative to daily oral PrEP, particularly for individuals who struggle with adherence.
Health authorities say the injectable provides high protection against HIV infection, improves convenience with its biannual dosing schedule, and offers a discreet option for key and vulnerable populations.
To guide its rollout, the Federal Ministry of Health has developed a rapid advisory to complement the 2024 National Guidelines for HIV Prevention, Treatment and Care, providing recommendations for its use among high-risk groups.
The government has also launched the National PrEP Implementation Plan (2025–2028), a roadmap for scaling up services nationwide. The plan was developed in collaboration with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), state health authorities and other stakeholders.
The National AIDS and STIs Control Programme (NASCP) is coordinating implementation in phases, with initial rollout in Anambra, Ebonyi, Bayelsa, Kwara, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Benue and the Federal Capital Territory.
The State Minister said preparatory steps, including regulatory approvals, facility assessments, personnel training and community engagement, have been completed to ensure a smooth rollout.
He further confirmed that the drugs are already in Nigeria, with a national launch and facility-level deployment expected to follow.
Also speaking, the Director-General of NACA, Temitope Ilori, said the agency had adopted multiple strategies to sensitise the public on the new prevention method.
“We already have oral PrEP, and other prevention measures. However, this new intervention comes at a very appropriate time, and we believe it will improve adherence and compliance, particularly among individuals at high risk of HIV infection,” she said.
Ilori added that Nigeria remains committed to a multi-sectoral approach to HIV prevention and care, combining biomedical tools with other complementary strategies to reduce new infections.
In her remarks, the Global Fund Disease Fund Manager for HIV/TB, Margaret Zamzu, commended Nigeria’s progress in tackling HIV.
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“The country has made considerable progress in the fight against HIV over the years. Its selection as an early adopter reflects our confidence in Nigeria’s ability to take this forward as a key step in strengthening HIV prevention,” she said.
Zamzu reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting Nigeria through the rollout and implementation process, describing the Global Fund as a catalyst in advancing the country’s HIV response.
Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa
