The initiative is being coordinated through the National HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme in collaboration with the World Health Organization during a three-day training programme for healthcare professionals in Lagos.
Speaking during the training, Dr. Chioma Ukanwa, an official of NASCP, said the programme was designed to prepare health workers for the nationwide rollout of Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) aimed at preventing HIV infection.
According to her, the training forms part of broader national efforts to build a sustainable HIV prevention system and reduce the spread of the virus across communities.
“This training is designed to build national capacity through a standardised, high-quality training approach and is also part of efforts toward sustainable HIV prevention,” she said.
Ukanwa explained that participants were being equipped with technical knowledge, facilitation skills and practical experience needed to train other healthcare workers and community stakeholders across the country.
“It will equip master trainers with the technical knowledge, facilitation skills and practical competencies required to cascade Len PrEP training to healthcare workers and community stakeholders across the country,” she added.
The deputy director further noted that strengthening the capacity of healthcare workers remained critical to ensuring the successful implementation of both injectable and oral PrEP options in Nigeria.
She revealed that the training attracted professors, consultants, clinicians, nurses and other healthcare experts who would oversee implementation in hospitals and healthcare centres nationwide.
The Federal Ministry of Health had earlier launched Lenacapavir in March as part of a pilot programme in eight states. The injection, administered only twice yearly, is considered a significant advancement in HIV prevention because it offers an alternative for individuals who struggle with taking daily oral medication.
Ukanwa said priority would be given to HIV-negative individuals who are considered at high risk of contracting the virus, including people in discordant relationships where one partner is HIV positive and the other negative.
She, however, stressed that HIV prevention should involve multiple strategies beyond medication alone.
“HIV prevention must involve a combination of approaches, including abstinence, faithfulness to one partner, condom use and preventive medications such as oral PrEP and injectable options,” she stated.
According to her, Nigeria remains committed to global targets aimed at eliminating new HIV infections and ending mother-to-child transmission of the virus by 2030.
She also applauded donor agencies and international development partners for their continued support in strengthening Nigeria’s HIV response.
In her goodwill message, Dr. Chinyere Okafor, Lagos State Coordinator for the WHO, described the training as a major milestone in Nigeria’s HIV prevention campaign.
Okafor noted that similar training sessions had already been conducted for northern states, while the Lagos programme focused on participants from southern Nigeria.
“The ongoing southern states cluster marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s HIV response,” she said.
She disclosed that the WHO would continue supporting Nigeria in expanding access to oral PrEP, long-acting cabotegravir (CAB-LA), and emerging innovations such as Lenacapavir.
“Building a skilled and competent health workforce has never been more critical,” Okafor added.
She further stated that the WHO was providing both technical and financial support to ensure adherence to global and national guidelines for effective PrEP delivery across all levels of the healthcare system.
Okafor commended NASCP, the Federal Ministry of Health and the Lagos State Ministry of Health for adopting evidence-based and people-centred approaches in the fight against HIV.
Meanwhile, participants at the training described the programme as timely and impactful.
Prof. Samuel Ebede of the Department of Medical Microbiology at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka praised the training-of-trainers model, saying it would help spread knowledge and improve awareness nationwide.
Another participant, Dr. Ufuoma Edewor, NASCP Programme Manager in Rivers State, described Len PrEP as “a game-changer” in HIV prevention.
He noted that the twice-yearly injection would provide a more convenient option for many people who often struggle with adherence to daily HIV prevention medication.
A total of 32 health professionals drawn from states across southern Nigeria took part in the training programme.