Nigeria joins global deal to cut cost of HIV prevention drug

The Nigerian government has joined global leaders in announcing a historic price reduction for a revolutionary HIV prevention drug, lenacapavir, at the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

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The announcement was made on Thursday during the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) 2025 Annual Meeting in New York, held on the sidelines of UNGA.

Under the deal, the cost of lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injection proven to be up to 100 per cent effective in preventing HIV infection, will drop from $28,000 to just $40 per person annually.

The breakthrough is expected to make the medicine accessible to millions across Nigeria and in more than 100 low- and middle-income countries.

Nigeria’s stance

Delivering Nigeria’s statement at the event, the Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Temitope Ilori, described the development as a major step forward.

Ms Ilori noted that the agreement represents a turning point in expanding access to lifesaving innovation.

“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.

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She stressed that the deal ensures the innovation does not remain a privilege for the few but instead delivers equity and long-lasting impact.

HIV, lenacapavir

HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, weakening its ability to fight infections and diseases. Without treatment, it can lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

Common early symptoms include fever, fatigue, rash, sore throat and weight loss, though many people may remain asymptomatic for years. According to health experts, timely prevention and treatment are key to halting transmission.

The World Health Organisation (WHO), said HIV remains a major global public health issue.

By the end of 2024, an estimated 40.8 million people were living with HIV globally, with about 65 per cent in the WHO African Region.

Globally, 630,000 people died from HIV-related causes same here, while 1.3 million people contracted HIV, including 120,000 children.

Access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) continues to expand, with 31.6 million people receiving treatment in 2024, up from 30.3 million in 2023.

In Nigeria, the burden remains significant. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HIV prevalence among people aged 15–49 was estimated at 1.3 per cent in 2023.

The same year, there were about 30,000 HIV-related deaths among people aged 15 and above. Meanwhile, an estimated 1,690,291 people aged 15 and above were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART).

In July 2025, WHO issued new guidelines recommending injectable lenacapavir, administered twice a year, as an additional pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option for people at substantial risk of HIV infection.

Global collaboration

The price reduction was achieved through strong collaboration with UNITAID, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Wits RHI, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. (DRL), and the Gates Foundation.

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The Gates Foundation earlier announced a new partnership with Indian manufacturer Hetero Labs to drive down the cost of lenacapavir and expand access.

Nigeria’s participation, officials added, highlights its leadership role at the UNGA in shaping global health solutions, while reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthen health systems, expand prevention, and accelerate progress toward ending HIV as a public health threat by 2030.