On the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, the Nigerian government joined world leaders in announcing a groundbreaking price reduction for lenacapavir, a revolutionary HIV prevention drug that promises to transform the global fight against HIV/AIDS. The announcement, made during the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) 2025 Annual Meeting on Thursday, September 25, 2025, marks a historic step toward achieving health equity by making lifesaving medication accessible to millions in Nigeria and over 100 low- and middle-income countries.
Under the new agreement, the cost of lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injectable drug shown to be up to 100 percent effective in preventing HIV infection, will plummet from an astronomical $28,000 per person annually to just $40. This dramatic 99.86 percent price reduction is expected to make the drug accessible to millions of people at risk of HIV, particularly in resource-constrained settings. The development has been hailed as a monumental victory for global health equity, with the potential to reshape the trajectory of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Nigeria and beyond.
A Defining Moment in the Fight Against HIV
Representing Nigeria at the CGI 2025 Annual Meeting, Temitope Ilori, the Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), described the announcement as a "defining moment" in the global battle against HIV. “Today, we celebrate a milestone in our collective efforts to end HIV as a public health threat,” Ilori declared. “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.”
Ilori emphasized that the price reduction ensures that cutting-edge medical innovations are not reserved for the privileged few but are equitably distributed to those who need them most. “In Nigeria, where the burden of HIV remains significant, this development will empower us to protect more lives, reduce new infections, and move closer to our goal of an AIDS-free generation,” she added. Her remarks underscored Nigeria’s leadership in advocating for accessible healthcare solutions and its commitment to strengthening health systems to address one of the world’s most pressing public health challenges.
Understanding HIV and Its Global Impact
HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, remains one of the most formidable public health challenges of our time. The virus attacks the body’s immune system, specifically targeting CD4 cells, which are critical for fighting infections. Without treatment, HIV can progress to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), leaving individuals vulnerable to opportunistic infections and diseases that can be fatal. Common early symptoms of HIV include fever, rash, sore throat, fatigue, and weight loss, though many people may remain asymptomatic for years, unknowingly spreading the virus.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 40.8 million people were living with HIV globally by the end of 2024. The African region bears the heaviest burden, accounting for nearly 65 percent of all cases. In 2024 alone, HIV-related causes claimed 630,000 lives worldwide, while 1.3 million new infections were recorded, including 120,000 among children. These figures highlight the urgent need for innovative prevention and treatment strategies to curb the epidemic.
In Nigeria, the HIV epidemic continues to pose a significant challenge. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that in 2023, the HIV prevalence among Nigerians aged 15–49 was 1.3 percent. That year, approximately 30,000 HIV-related deaths were recorded among people aged 15 and older, while more than 1.6 million individuals in that age group were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). While access to ART has expanded significantly—31.6 million people globally received treatment in 2024, up from 30.3 million in 2023—gaps in prevention and treatment persist, particularly in low-resource settings.
The Promise of Lenacapavir
Lenacapavir, developed by Gilead Sciences, represents a groundbreaking advancement in HIV prevention. Unlike daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) regimens, which require strict adherence to be effective, lenacapavir is administered as a subcutaneous injection just twice a year. Clinical trials have demonstrated its remarkable efficacy, with some studies showing it to be up to 100 percent effective in preventing HIV infection among those at substantial risk. This long-acting formulation is particularly advantageous for populations with limited access to healthcare facilities, as it reduces the need for frequent clinic visits and simplifies adherence.
The WHO has recommended lenacapavir as an additional PrEP option for individuals at high risk of HIV infection, including men who have sex with men, sex workers, people who inject drugs, and those in serodiscordant relationships (where one partner is HIV-positive and the other is not). Its twice-yearly dosing schedule makes it a game-changer for rural and underserved communities, where access to consistent healthcare services can be a barrier to effective HIV prevention.
A Collaborative Effort to Drive Down Costs
The dramatic price reduction of lenacapavir was made possible through a collaborative effort involving multiple global health organizations and pharmaceutical partners. Key players in the agreement include UNITAID, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Wits RHI, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd., and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Earlier in 2025, the Gates Foundation announced a manufacturing partnership with Hetero Labs, an Indian pharmaceutical company, to scale up production of lenacapavir and reduce costs. This partnership has been instrumental in making the drug affordable for low- and middle-income countries.
The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to addressing global health disparities and ensuring that life-saving innovations reach those who need them most. By leveraging economies of scale and streamlining production processes, the partnership has slashed the cost of lenacapavir, making it feasible for governments and health systems in resource-constrained settings to integrate it into their HIV prevention programs.
Nigeria’s Leadership in Global Health
Nigeria’s participation in this landmark agreement underscores its growing influence in shaping global health solutions. At the UNGA, Nigerian officials highlighted the country’s commitment to strengthening health systems, expanding prevention programs, and accelerating progress toward the global goal of ending HIV as a public health threat by 2030. This ambition aligns with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 95-95-95 targets, which aim for 95 percent of people living with HIV to know their status, 95 percent of those diagnosed to receive sustained ART, and 95 percent of those on treatment to achieve viral suppression by 2030.
The price reduction of lenacapavir is a significant step toward achieving these targets in Nigeria, where the HIV epidemic remains a complex challenge. Despite progress in expanding ART coverage, barriers such as stigma, limited healthcare infrastructure, and socioeconomic inequalities continue to hinder efforts to curb new infections. The availability of an affordable, long-acting PrEP option like lenacapavir could address some of these challenges by reducing the burden on healthcare systems and empowering individuals to protect themselves more effectively.
Broader Implications for Public Health
The announcement has far-reaching implications for public health, not only in Nigeria but across the African continent and other low- and middle-income regions. By making lenacapavir accessible at a fraction of its original cost, the agreement sets a precedent for how global health partnerships can address inequities in access to medical innovations. It also highlights the importance of collaboration between governments, international organizations, and the private sector in tackling complex health challenges.
For Nigeria, the price reduction could have a transformative impact on its HIV prevention efforts. With an estimated 1.9 million people living with HIV in 2023, Nigeria is one of the countries most affected by the epidemic in West Africa. The availability of affordable lenacapavir could significantly reduce new infections, particularly among high-risk populations, and help the country move closer to its goal of an AIDS-free future.
Beyond Nigeria, the agreement will benefit more than 100 low- and middle-income countries, many of which face similar challenges in combating HIV. By expanding access to lenacapavir, these countries can strengthen their prevention programs, reduce the burden on healthcare systems, and save countless lives. The deal also serves as a model for future efforts to make other innovative treatments and vaccines more accessible, particularly for diseases that disproportionately affect marginalized populations.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
While the price reduction of lenacapavir is a monumental achievement, implementing large-scale access to the drug will require overcoming several challenges. In Nigeria, for example, healthcare infrastructure in rural areas remains limited, and logistical barriers such as transportation and supply chain management could hinder the distribution of lenacapavir to those who need it most. Additionally, stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV or at risk of infection remain significant barriers to uptake of prevention and treatment services.
To address these challenges, the Nigerian government, in collaboration with international partners, will need to invest in strengthening health systems, training healthcare workers, and raising awareness about the benefits of lenacapavir. Community engagement will be critical to ensuring that high-risk populations, including young women, sex workers, and men who have sex with men, are informed about and have access to this new prevention option.
The price reduction also presents an opportunity to integrate lenacapavir into Nigeria’s existing HIV prevention programs, such as those focused on promoting condom use, voluntary medical male circumcision, and oral PrEP. By offering a range of prevention options, the country can tailor its approach to the diverse needs of its population, maximizing the impact of its efforts to reduce new infections.
Voices from the Ground
The announcement has been met with widespread optimism among public health experts, activists, and community leaders in Nigeria. Dr. Chidi Okoro, a public health specialist based in Lagos, called the price reduction “a game-changer for HIV prevention in Nigeria.” He noted that the long-acting nature of lenacapavir could significantly improve adherence among populations that struggle with daily oral PrEP regimens. “For many of my patients, taking a pill every day is a challenge due to stigma, forgetfulness, or lack of access to pharmacies. A twice-yearly injection could remove those barriers and save lives,” he said.
Community activists have also praised the development but emphasized the need for robust implementation strategies. Aisha Mohammed, an advocate for women living with HIV in Abuja, highlighted the importance of addressing gender-specific barriers to access. “Young women and girls in Nigeria are disproportionately affected by HIV due to factors like poverty and gender-based violence. We need to ensure that lenacapavir reaches these vulnerable groups and that they are supported to access it without fear of stigma or discrimination,” she said.
A Global Call to Action
The announcement at the CGI 2025 Annual Meeting is part of a broader global movement to address health inequities and ensure that no one is left behind in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The price reduction of lenacapavir aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3, which calls for ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages. By making a highly effective prevention tool accessible to millions, the agreement brings the world closer to achieving this goal.
The success of this initiative also underscores the power of global health partnerships. The collaboration between UNITAID, CHAI, Wits RHI, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, the Gates Foundation, and national governments like Nigeria demonstrates what can be achieved when stakeholders unite around a common cause. It also serves as a reminder that addressing complex health challenges requires sustained investment, political will, and a commitment to equity.
Looking to the Future
As Nigeria and other countries prepare to roll out lenacapavir, the focus will shift to ensuring that the drug reaches those who need it most. This will require coordinated efforts to strengthen supply chains, train healthcare providers, and engage communities in awareness campaigns. Monitoring and evaluation will also be critical to assess the impact of lenacapavir on HIV incidence and to identify any challenges that arise during implementation.
For Nigeria, the price reduction of lenacapavir represents a beacon of hope in the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS. By leveraging this opportunity, the country can accelerate progress toward its national and global health goals, reduce the burden of HIV, and improve the quality of life for millions of its citizens. The announcement at the UNGA is not just a victory for Nigeria but a testament to what can be achieved when the global community comes together to prioritize health equity.
In the words of Temitope Ilori, “This is more than a price reduction—it is a promise to future generations that we will not rest until HIV is no longer a threat to humanity.” As the world watches Nigeria’s next steps, the hope is that this landmark agreement will inspire further innovations and partnerships to create a healthier, more equitable future for all.
