The Benue State Government has launched Lenacapavir, a groundbreaking twice-yearly injectable medication designed to prevent HIV infection, in what health officials describe as a major milestone in Nigeria’s fight against the virus.
The rollout ceremony took place in Makurdi on Wednesday, with the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, leading the launch. He described the long-acting injectable drug as a transformative step toward reducing new HIV infections, particularly among vulnerable populations in the state.
According to health authorities, Lenacapavir offers a more convenient alternative to traditional daily oral Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) medications, which many patients often struggle to maintain consistently due to stigma, forgetfulness, or “pill fatigue.”
Dr. Ogwuche said the new treatment could significantly improve adherence to HIV prevention programs by reducing the burden of taking daily medication.
“For years, many individuals at risk of HIV infection have faced challenges with daily pills because of social stigma and lifestyle limitations,” he said. “Lenacapavir provides a discreet and highly effective option that only requires administration twice a year.”
Lenacapavir is classified as a long-acting capsid inhibitor and is administered through a subcutaneous injection every six months. Medical experts say the drug has shown near-perfect efficacy in international clinical trials when properly administered.
The decision to prioritize Benue for the rollout is linked to the state’s persistently high HIV burden. Data from the Nigeria AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS) places Benue among the states with the highest HIV prevalence rates in the country.
Health officials disclosed that Benue recorded nearly 2,000 new HIV infections in the first quarter of 2026, making it one of the most affected states nationwide.
The state government said the program would initially target high-risk groups, including adolescent girls, young women, and serodiscordant couples, where one partner is HIV-positive and the other is negative.
Implementation of the initiative will begin in selected healthcare facilities across Makurdi, Otukpo, Gboko, and Aliade. Authorities emphasized that the injectable drug is strictly intended for HIV-negative individuals considered to be at substantial risk of infection.
Nigeria is among a limited number of countries selected as early adopters of Lenacapavir as part of global efforts to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. The Federal Government has also pledged increased funding support for HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria interventions in 2026.
Public health experts say the introduction of long-acting HIV prevention therapies could reshape the country’s prevention strategy, especially in high-burden states where adherence to daily medication has remained a challenge.
With the latest rollout, Benue State hopes to significantly reduce new HIV infections and strengthen its response to one of Nigeria’s most persistent public health challenges.
