By Muhammad Mamman
National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has announced that Nigeria is set to receive a new HIV prevention drug in March, marking a significant step in the country’s ongoing fight against the virus.
NACA said the introduction of the medication is part of broader efforts to scale up HIV prevention strategies, reduce new infections and strengthen access to life-saving interventions, particularly among high-risk populations.
The agency’s Director-General stated that preparations are already underway to ensure swift regulatory approvals, effective distribution and integration into existing public health programmes. According to the agency, the drug will complement current preventive measures, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), condom distribution and widespread public awareness campaigns.
Health officials believe the new medication could help accelerate Nigeria’s progress towards achieving the global 95-95-95 targets set by Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), which aim to ensure that 95 percent of people living with HIV know their status, 95 percent of those diagnosed receive sustained treatment and 95 percent of those on treatment achieve viral suppression.
Nigeria carries one of the highest HIV burdens globally, with millions of people living with the virus. While significant progress has been made over the past decade through expanded testing and treatment access, public health experts say prevention remains critical to reversing new infection trends.
NACA emphasised that collaboration with state governments, development partners and civil society organisations will be crucial to ensuring the drug reaches vulnerable communities across the country.
