Nigeria has announced a historic price reduction for lenacapavir, a revolutionary HIV prevention drug administered as a twice-yearly injection. The cost of the drug will drop from $28,000 to just $40 per person annually, making it accessible to millions in Nigeria and over 100 low- and middle-income countries.
Lenacapavir has been shown to be up to 100 per cent effective in preventing HIV infection. The injectable option provides six months of protection at a time, offering a convenient alternative to daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which can be difficult to maintain consistently and carry stigma in certain communities.
HIV attacks the body’s immune system and, if untreated, can lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Early symptoms may include fever, fatigue, rash, sore throat, and weight loss, though many people remain asymptomatic for years. Timely prevention and treatment are crucial to reducing transmission.
Globally, an estimated 40.8 million people were living with HIV by the end of 2024, with about 65 per cent in the African region. That year, 630,000 people died from HIV-related causes, while 1.3 million contracted the virus, including 120,000 children. Access to antiretroviral therapy continues to expand, with 31.6 million people receiving treatment worldwide.
In Nigeria, HIV prevalence among people aged 15–49 was 1.3 per cent in 2023. About 1.69 million people aged 15 and above were receiving antiretroviral therapy, while approximately 30,000 HIV-related deaths occurred that year.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended lenacapavir as an additional pre-exposure prophylaxis option for people at substantial risk of HIV infection. Experts say long-acting injectables like lenacapavir could help reduce new infections among vulnerable populations, including adolescent girls and young women, LGBT individuals, sex workers, and people who use drugs.
Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Commission in 2025, lenacapavir works by disrupting HIV replication at multiple stages, offering long-acting protection with minimal side effects, such as mild injection site pain, nausea, or headaches.
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