Demand for the long-acting HIV prevention drug Lenacapavir has risen in several Nigerian states.
The increase has also caused shortages in some locations taking part in the Federal Government’s pilot programme.
Findings by Saturday PUNCH showed that Benue, Kwara, Gombe and Cross River recorded shortages.
Lenacapavir is an HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis drug. It helps protect eligible HIV-negative people from HIV infection.
Unlike daily oral PrEP, health workers give Lenacapavir once every six months.
The World Health Organisation recommended Lenacapavir as an additional HIV prevention option in July 2025.
The Federal Government received 11,520 doses of Lenacapavir on March 19, 2026.
Five days later, officials distributed the doses to 10 pilot locations.
The locations include Benue, Kwara, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Gombe, Anambra, Ebonyi, Kano, Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory.
The pilot programme aims to assess the use of the long-acting HIV prevention drug in Nigeria.
It also allows health authorities to monitor demand, distribution and service delivery.
Benue State recorded strong demand after the drug became available in May 2026.
The state Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ogwuche, said more than 2,000 HIV-negative people had received the injection.
He said the state had used up its initial allocation at participating health facilities.
However, Ogwuche described the shortage as temporary. He said the Federal Government was processing additional supplies.
Kwara State also used up its initial allocation.
The state AIDS Programme Coordinator, Muhammed Rasheed, said health facilities had administered more than 800 doses.
He added that the state expected more than 1,000 additional doses.
At Sobi Specialist Hospital in Ilorin, interested residents could not access the drug because supplies had run out.
Cross River State has also recorded strong demand for Lenacapavir.
Health workers in Calabar said uptake increased after authorities expanded awareness and counselling.
Demand has been particularly high among sex workers, according to health officials.
One health worker said some clients preferred the injection because it offers a more discreet option than daily oral PrEP.
The official said health workers advised clients to continue using oral PrEP while they waited for new supplies.
The demand highlights the need for reliable access to HIV prevention services.
The National Agency for the Control of AIDS said the shortages do not represent a nationwide stock-out.
NACA’s North-East Zonal Coordinator, Dr John Tobias, said logistics challenges could affect the movement of health commodities.
He explained that Lenacapavir remains part of a pilot programme.
According to Tobias, the pilot helps authorities assess demand, storage needs, healthcare capacity and distribution.
He also linked some supply problems to funding cuts affecting HIV interventions.
Meanwhile, Lagos State has a different situation.
Health officials said the state has enough Lenacapavir but recorded low uptake.
The Lagos State Ministry of Health has therefore encouraged eligible residents to come forward.
Anambra State also used up its initial supply but recently received another batch.
The situation varies across the pilot states. Some locations need additional supplies, while others need greater awareness and uptake.
