FCT launches free long-acting HIV prevention injection, LenPrEP
via Punch Nigeria4 min read
The Federal Capital Territory has received over 4,000 vials of LenPrEP, a long-acting injectable HIV prevention option, which will be provided free of charge to eligible residents. Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Federal Capital Territory Administration, announced the launch at Asokoro District Hospital in Abuja. She stated that LenPrEP is a significant advancement, offering a discreet, convenient, and highly effective alternative for individuals who find daily medication adherence challenging. The injection is administered twice a year and complements existing prevention methods like oral PrEP, condoms, and behavioral interventions. The FCT, with an HIV prevalence rate of 1.4 percent and over 60,000 people on treatment, is one of the pilot areas for the phased rollout, initially targeting high-risk individuals. The initiative aims to reduce new infections and accelerate progress towards the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets. Fasawe emphasized that the government's HIV response includes holistic support such as nutrition, social, and psychological care. She urged healthcare partners and stakeholders to collaborate and called on the media and public to raise awareness while combating stigma and illegal sales. The injections will be available at selected hospitals, primary healthcare centers, and through implementing partners. Ghali Kassim, Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, HSES, FCTA, described the initiat
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Mustapha Gubio, the immediate past Commissioner for Works and Housing in Borno State, has obtained the nomination form to run in the upcoming governorship election. Gubio, who is the first aspirant to get the APC gubernatorial nomination form in the state, presented the form to Governor Babagana Zulum in Maiduguri. This was confirmed by the governor's spokesperson, Dauda Illiya, who shared a photo of the event. Gubio's entry into the race follows Governor Zulum's dissolution of the State Executive Council on March 30, a move intended to allow council members to contest elective positions in the forthcoming general elections. Gubio previously oversaw infrastructure projects as Commissioner for Works and Housing.
Must ReadThe Federal Government has declared an end to the export of raw shea nuts, aiming instead to promote industrialization and value addition within the country. This policy shift was announced by the Minister of State for Industry, John Enoh, at the Shea 2026: Beyond Borders conference in Accra, Ghana. Nigeria, which produces nearly 40 percent of the global shea supply, currently captures only about one percent of the $6.5 billion global market due to exporting raw nuts. Processed shea butter sells for 10 to 20 times the price of raw nuts. The government seeks to increase processed shea earnings from an estimated $65 million to $300 million in the near term, with a potential growth to $3 billion by 2027. An initial six-month ban on raw shea nut exports was implemented in August 2025, and President Tinubu extended this ban for another year on February 26, 2026, moving the deadline to the end of February 2027. Under the extension, all shea exports must pass through the Nigeria Commodity Exchange framework. Other West African countries, including Burkina Faso, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and Ghana, have also imposed or phased in bans on raw shea exports. At the Accra conference, Nigeria's Ali Saidu was appointed the new Chair of the Global Shea Alliance, marking the first time a Nigerian has led the organization. The Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit highlighted Nigeria's commitment to regional coordination to ensure Africa captures greater value from shea, noting that rur
Nigeria's House of Representatives has passed legislation to professionalise the National Assembly's internal security structure by overhauling the office of the Sergeant-at-Arms. The bill mandates that the head of the National Assembly Security Directorate, the Sergeant-at-Arms, will be appointed by the National Assembly Service Commission from serving legislative personnel, rather than retired military or external security officers. This reform addresses long-standing concerns about reliance on external appointees, which critics argue weaken institutional independence and limit career progression for legislative staff. The push for reform gained momentum after security breaches, including the 2018 invasion of the Senate chamber. The new law requires eligible officers to have at least 15 years of service in the National Assembly, a minimum rank of Assistant Director, and no record of indiscipline. The legislation also elevates the office of the Sergeant-at-Arms to a full directorate with a renewable four-year tenure, up to two terms. Staff will enjoy conditions of service similar to other National Assembly staff, or the Nigeria Police where applicable. The proposed law allows the Sergeant-at-Arms to carry arms within the National Assembly complex with presidential approval, for self-defense or defense against imminent threats, and to prevent serious crimes or arrest dangerous individuals. Sponsored by Akintunde Rotimi, the bill aims to create a career-driven, institutionally
Must ReadThe World Health Organization's Global Hepatitis Report 2026 reveals that while global progress against viral hepatitis is improving, it remains inadequate to meet the 2030 elimination targets. In 2024, hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus, which cause 95 percent of hepatitis-related deaths, led to 1.34 million deaths globally, with 1.1 million linked to HBV and 240,000 to HCV infections, primarily due to liver cirrhosis and cancer. Approximately 1.8 million new infections were recorded in 2024, with 900,000 cases each for HBV and HCV. As of 2024, about 287 million people were living with chronic hepatitis infections worldwide. Since 2015, there has been a 32 percent decline in new hepatitis B infections due to improved immunization and prevention strategies, and a 12 percent reduction in HCV-related deaths, driven by access to effective antiviral treatment. The prevalence of chronic HBV among children under five decreased from 0.8 percent in 2015 to 0.6 percent in 2024, and the number of people living with HCV dropped by 20 percent due to expanded curative treatment programs. However, new HCV infections fell by only eight percent between 2015 and 2024, far below the 80 percent reduction target, and HBV-related deaths increased by 17 percent during the same period due to gaps in diagnosis and treatment. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that eliminating hepatitis is achievable with sustained political will and adequate funding. The report emphasizes th