The National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA, and the World Health Organization, WHO, on Thursday pushed for wider use of prevention options including LEN-PrEP, oral pills, injectables, condoms and abstinence, as Nigeria works to curb new HIV infections amid declining condom use among young people.
Speaking in Lagos at a 2-day Training of Media Personnel on PrEP, the NACA Director General, Dr. Temitope Ilori, said the agency is piloting LEN-PrEP, the six-month injectable drug Lenacapavir, alongside other prevention tools to give Nigerians more choices beyond daily medication.
“We don't want to emphasize the medicalization of PrEP because HIV. We have LENPREP, that is an injection taken once every six months. So you have choices,” Dr. Ilori said.
“You can even use those that are not medications like the old faithful condom, and of course behavioural abstinence is very essential. Stay safe, know your HIV status, and stay safe.”
Dr. Ilori explained that while there is no cure for HIV yet, Nigeria has both pre-exposure prophylaxis, PrEP, and post-exposure prophylaxis, PEP as prevention strategies.
The PrEP options currently available include:
-Daily oral pills – recommended for people in high-risk jobs such as health workers and sex workers
- Injectable CAB-LA – taken every two months
- LEN-PrEP, Lenacapavir – taken once every six months
She noted that LEN-PrEP is currently in pilot states and is being offered free of charge in designated facilities, stressing that there is no market price yet as the government is working with donor and international partners to scale up access.
On side effects, the Director General said “As of today, we do not have any major side effects,”
According to her, participants in the pilot are registered and followed up by clinicians.
“Like every medication, there might be some discomfort, but that's why we said it's a clinical trial.”
For people living with HIV, Dr. Ilori said potent antiretroviral drugs are available free in all government facilities.
She stressed the U=U message: Undetectable equals Untransmittable, urging those on treatment to stay on their medication to prevent transmission.
Dr. Ilori raised concern over Nigeria’s infection data, noting that about 45,000 new HIV infections were recorded in 2025, while data for 2026 are still being collated.
She said the figure was declining but is now rising again, particularly among young people who lack the right information.
She lamented that condom use is declining, especially among youth.
“For the young people particularly that are sexually active, we say please play safe, wear condoms. We have condoms in different sizes. We even have those that are coated with flavours,” she said.
For younger people, she added: “Abstinence is key. Let's abstain from sexual intercourse, pre-marital.”
Dr. Ilori said misinformation such as “you can contract HIV from hugging, shaking hands, or mosquitoes” is false.
“HIV can be transmitted by blood, by sexual contact. People are born with HIV if the mother is infected and she's not on medications,” she said.
“Let's treat people with HIV as human beings because anybody could be affected. Some people are actually born with HIV.”
“We are on target regarding epidemic control, but to stay on target we need every hand on deck,” Dr. Ilori added.
“We need people to know their status, get tested, and for those who are positive to access medication and stay on it.” she stated
According to her, the prevalence of HIV in Nigeria is still estimated at 1.3% with over 98% not infected.
Also speaking, WHO Technical Officer for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STI, Dr. Oluwafunke Odunlade, explained that PrEP drugs work by blocking HIV from entering the bloodstream and integrating into a person’s DNA.
“When somebody is on PrEP and uses it adequately, they have protection against acquiring HIV,” she said.
She added that before starting PrEP, individuals must first test negative for HIV, as the drugs are for prevention, not treatment.
Dr. Odunlade said healthcare providers determine the best option for each person.
According to her, Oral PrEP may also help people living with Hepatitis B, while injectables suit those who struggle with daily pills.
She also advocated for integrated healthcare, where patients are screened for HIV, Hepatitis B, tuberculosis and malaria in one visit to improve access and efficiency.
Both NACA and WHO urged journalists and social media practitioners to help dispel myths and stigma around HIV.