FG Warns Pregnant Women Against Using New HIV Injection Lenacapavi

By Abah Margaret

The Federal Government has cautioned that the newly introduced long-acting HIV prevention injection, Lenacapavir (LenPrEP), is not recommended for use by pregnant women.

The Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Temitope Ilori, made this clarification on Monday during a media briefing organised by the National HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STDs Control Programme in Abuja.

Ilori explained that while global studies show Lenacapavir has a high safety profile, its effects during pregnancy are not yet fully understood. “Even though LenPrEP is considered very safe based on global studies, it is not recommended for pregnant women. It is important to emphasise that this is a preventive intervention, not a treatment,” she said.

She added that while the drug is a significant innovation in HIV prevention, it does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections, including hepatitis. “People must continue to take comprehensive precautions,” Ilori stressed.

Speaking at the event, the National Coordinator of the National AIDS and STDs Control Programme, Adebobola Bashorun, said the Federal Government is working to expand access to Lenacapavir across more states. “As we scale up, we are exploring catalytic funding to increase the number of doses and extend coverage to populations most at risk,” he said.

Bashorun noted that Lenacapavir will complement, not replace, existing HIV prevention methods such as oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Side effects have been mild, primarily limited to injection-site reactions.

Earlier, Minister of State for Health, Iziaq Salako, highlighted that the rollout of Lenacapavir in Nigeria is supported through the Global Fund, with plans to explore local manufacturing and technology transfer for long-term sustainability.

Developed by Gilead Sciences, Lenacapavir is administered twice a year, offering a convenient alternative to daily oral PrEP for individuals struggling with adherence.

Nigeria, home to an estimated 1.9 million people living with HIV, continues to face prevention gaps, especially among key populations and young people. Public health experts have hailed Lenacapavir as a “game-changer,” but stress that equitable access, sustained funding, and integration into existing HIV programmes are critical for its success.

Health authorities emphasise that while Lenacapavir is an important addition to Nigeria’s HIV prevention toolkit, it is not a standalone solution, and resources must continue to support broader health priorities including malaria control, maternal health, and routine immunisation.