Officials of the Federal Capital Territory AIDS and STIs Prevention and Control Programme have attributed the delay in the availability of the newly introduced long-acting HIV prevention injection, Lenacapavir, in Abuja to logistical challenges and a phased national rollout strategy.
A senior programme official familiar with the process, who spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to speak publicly, told our correspondent on Sunday that the delay was not unusual for newly introduced medications, explaining that distribution follows a structured, step-by-step approach.
He noted that although the drug had already arrived in Nigeria and national-level sensitisation had been completed, it is not being deployed nationwide at once.
Instead, eight states- Kwara, Gombe, Ebonyi, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Benue and the FCT have been selected for an initial pilot phase to assess uptake, monitor responses, and address any challenges before wider distribution.
"It is a matter of logistics. First, the medications have to arrive in the country, and sensitisation must be carried out. National-level sensitisation has already been done, and the medications are in the country.
"The national programme has flagged off, but Lenacapavir is not being rolled out across the entire country at once.
"That is not how new medications are introduced. It is done step by step. Eight locations -- seven states and the FCT -- have been selected for the pilot phase of this new medication.
"This allows us to assess how the population responds to it and how they react before making it widely available," the official explained.
Another official involved in the rollout explained that while the injections are currently stored at national facilities, states cannot access them immediately without completing administrative and preparatory requirements.
She said only a limited quantity of the drug has been received so far, making it necessary to allocate doses based on data, readiness, and specific criteria across participating areas. "At the moment, the medication is still at the national level. Only a limited number of doses have been received for the entire country, so allocations must be determined based on data, state readiness, and other criteria," she explained.
The official added that proximity to national storage facilities does not automatically guarantee quicker access for the FCT, as distribution must follow due process and occur simultaneously across all selected locations.
She further explained that readiness goes beyond logistics, stressing the need to identify eligible participants, obtain informed consent, and ensure proper follow-up mechanisms are in place before administering the injections.
"Although it may seem like the FCT should already have access since it is close to the national level, distribution must follow due process and happen simultaneously across all selected areas.
"The fact that the medication is in the national cold store does not mean the FCT can access it immediately. We must complete all the necessary processes.
"The state has to be ready, and we must identify participants who are willing to take the drug.
"It is not just about administering it; participants must also be willing to sign consent forms and be available for follow-up in case of any issues," she explained.
Addressing public misconceptions, a senior health official clarified that the injection was not intended for the general population but for specific high-risk groups.
"There is misinformation. Some people believe it is an anti-HIV treatment meant for everyone, but that is not the case.
"Like oral Pre-exposure prophylaxis for high-risk populations, LenPrEP is a form of PrEP. Lenacapavir is a form of prevention and is targeted at specific high-risk populations.
"We do not target the general population with PrEP. For the general population, we focus on preventive measures such as education on how to protect themselves.
"PrEP is meant for individuals at higher risk, such as men who have sex with men, female sex workers, and serodiscordant couples, where one partner is HIV-positive, and the other is not," the senior official explained.
He described Lenacapavir as a more convenient alternative to daily oral PrEP, noting that it is administered twice a year and could improve adherence among users.
He also noted that authorities have deliberately avoided announcing specific health facilities where the injection will be available until supplies are physically present in the FCT, to prevent public frustration and loss of trust.
The official said premature announcements could lead to repeated visits by residents to facilities without access to the drug, discouraging them from returning when it eventually becomes available.
"We usually avoid raising public expectations until the commodities are physically available in the state. It would not be fair to inform people about specific facilities offering lenacapavir when the medication is not yet available.
"People may visit once, twice, or even three times without finding it, and by the time it becomes available, they may lose trust and not return.
"That is why we are being cautious. We are engaging communities and sensitising them, but we are not yet directing them to specific facilities.
"Once the medication is available in the FCT, we will inform the public and ensure that anyone who visits a designated facility can access it," the official added.
The Federal Government had earlier announced that Nigeria received 11,520 doses of Lenacapavir as part of a broader plan to deploy 52,000 doses in phases under a Global Fund-supported initiative aimed at strengthening HIV prevention efforts.