News Update
THE Nigerian government has joined world leaders in announcing a landmark price reduction for lenacapavir, a revolutionary HIV prevention drug, at the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The announcement was made on Thursday during the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) 2025 Annual Meeting in New York.
Under the new agreement, the cost of lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injection proven to be up to 100 percent effective in preventing HIV infection, will drop from $28,000 to just $40 per person annually.
The breakthrough deal is expected to make the medicine accessible to millions across Nigeria and more than 100 low- and middle-income countries, a move hailed as a major advance in global health equity.
Representing Nigeria at the event, the Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Temitope Ilori, described the announcement as a defining moment in the fight against HIV. “Today marks a milestone in our fight against HIV, in Nigeria and globally.
Through this landmark access agreement, we are unlocking affordable access to lenacapavir, a transformational new HIV prevention option that offers longer protection, greater convenience, and renewed hope to millions at risk,” she said. Ilori emphasized that the development ensures lifesaving innovation does not remain the privilege of a few but is delivered equitably to those most in need.
HIV remains one of the most pressing public health challenges worldwide. The virus attacks the immune system, leaving the body vulnerable to infections and disease, and without treatment can lead to AIDS. Common early symptoms include fever, rash, sore throat, fatigue, and weight loss, although many people may remain without symptoms for years. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that by the end of 2024, approximately 40.8 million people were living with HIV globally, with nearly 65 percent based in the African region. That same year, 630,000 people died of HIV-related causes, while 1.3 million new infections were recorded, including 120,000 children.
While access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) continues to grow, with 31.6 million people receiving treatment in 2024 compared to 30.3 million the year before, the burden in Nigeria remains significant.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HIV prevalence among Nigerians aged 15–49 was estimated at 1.3 percent in 2023. The same year saw around 30,000 HIV-related deaths among people aged 15 and above, while more than 1.6 million Nigerians in that age group were receiving ART.
The World Health Organization has already recommended injectable lenacapavir as an additional pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option for people at substantial risk of infection. Administered twice a year, the treatment offers long-term protection, making it particularly attractive for populations with limited access to health facilities.
The dramatic price reduction was made possible through collaboration with UNITAID, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Wits RHI, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd., and the Gates Foundation. The Gates Foundation earlier announced a manufacturing partnership with Indian pharmaceutical firm Hetero Labs to bring down production costs and expand access globally.
Nigeria’s participation in the deal underscores its leadership role at the UNGA in shaping global health solutions. Officials stressed that the move reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening health systems, expanding prevention programs, and accelerating progress toward ending HIV as a public health threat by 2030.