Sex workers and other Nigerians seeking protection against HIV are facing difficulties accessing a new twice-yearly preventive injection after supplies ran out in several states participating in Nigeria’s pilot programme.
The drug, known as lenacapavir, has attracted significant interest because it is administered only once every six months, offering an alternative to daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis, commonly known as PrEP.
Health officials and service providers in Benue, Kwara, Gombe and Cross River have reported stock-outs months after the Federal Government began distributing the injection through selected pilot locations...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
In Cross River State, demand has reportedly increased significantly among sex workers, with health workers saying many prefer the injectable option because of its convenience and discreet nature.
Some beneficiaries who previously relied on daily oral PrEP have reportedly switched their preference to the injection, creating additional pressure on available supplies.
A health worker in Calabar said demand initially appeared low because of limited awareness and stigma surrounding HIV prevention. However, increased counselling and sensitisation reportedly led to a sharp rise in interest.
The shortage has also affected other eligible Nigerians seeking the medication.
Benue State has recorded particularly strong uptake. More than 2,000 HIV-negative people have reportedly received lenacapavir since the programme began in the state in May 2026.
The state’s initial supply has now been exhausted at participating health facilities, although authorities say the programme itself has not been discontinued and additional supplies are being processed.
Kwara State has similarly exhausted its initial allocation, with health officials expecting more than 1,000 additional doses.
However, the situation is not the same across the country.
In Lagos, health officials say there are sufficient supplies but relatively low uptake among eligible residents. Authorities are encouraging more people who qualify for the HIV-prevention injection to come forward.
Anambra State also exhausted its initial allocation but has reportedly received a fresh supply for distribution through designated facilities.
The National Agency for the Control of AIDS has explained that the shortages in some states should not be interpreted as a nationwide shortage of lenacapavir.
Officials said the drug is still being introduced through a pilot programme designed to assess demand, healthcare-worker capacity, storage, distribution and other practical issues before any wider national rollout.
Logistics and funding challenges have, however, complicated the movement of health commodities between states.
The Federal Government received 11,520 doses of lenacapavir in March 2026 and distributed them among 10 pilot locations, including Lagos, Benue, Kwara, Cross River, Gombe, Anambra, Ebonyi, Kano, Akwa Ibom and the Federal Capital Territory.
Lenacapavir is intended for HIV prevention among eligible HIV-negative people. It is administered twice a year and provides another prevention option alongside established methods such as oral PrEP.
Health workers have also stressed the importance of proper screening and counselling before the injection is administered.
The shortages have highlighted the challenge of balancing rising demand with limited supplies during the early stages of introducing a new HIV-prevention option.
For people who have previously relied on daily medication, the six-monthly injection represents a potentially more convenient option. But health authorities will need to address supply, logistics and funding challenges to ensure that people who become interested in the prevention method can access it consistently.
