Medical experts have called for expanded research, free nationwide screening and intensified grassroots mobilisation as Nigeria strengthens efforts to combat Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and reduce the burden of cervical cancer and other related diseases.
The call was made on Wednesday in Abuja during activities marking the 2026 International Human Papillomavirus Awareness Day, a global initiative led by the International Papillomavirus Society to highlight the risks of HPV and promote preventive measures.
Speaking at the event, Professor Imran Oludare Morhason-Bello of University College Hospital Ibadan and the University of Ibadan cautioned against narrowing HPV discourse solely to cervical cancer, describing such framing as misleading and potentially harmful.
He explained that HPV is implicated not only in cervical cancer but also in cancers of the throat, mouth, anus and penis, affecting both men and women.
“Human Papillomavirus is not a women-only issue,” he said. “It affects both genders and people of different backgrounds. We must broaden our understanding and our response.”
Morhason-Bello advocated a transdisciplinary strategy that integrates medical science with social research, education, religious institutions and community leadership. He noted that vaccine hesitancy varies across regions and cultural contexts, underscoring the need for localised research and tailored community engagement.
According to him, policies developed without grassroots input are less likely to succeed, stressing that communities must be active partners rather than passive recipients in the national HPV response.
The experts acknowledged progress in vaccine rollout through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, reporting that more than 16 million girls have received the HPV vaccine. However, they warned that millions more remain eligible, requiring increased funding, public awareness and coordinated implementation to bridge the gap.
Dr. Maureen Umeakuewulu, Local Organising Committee Chairman for International HPV Awareness Day in Nigeria and Country Ambassador of the International Papillomavirus Society, called for a nationwide advocacy movement involving religious leaders, traditional rulers, women’s groups, youth organisations and cervical cancer survivors.
She raised concern over persistent misinformation, particularly unfounded claims linking the vaccine to infertility.
“The vaccine has been in use globally for over 20 years. There is no evidence linking it to infertility,” she said. “While we are educating communities, those spreading falsehoods are also active. We must be louder with facts.”
Umeakuewulu further urged that cervical cancer screening be made free in all public and private hospitals to remove financial barriers that deter women from seeking testing.
“If women gather the courage to seek screening and are turned back by costs they cannot afford, then our advocacy is weakened,” she said. “Screening must be accessible to every woman, regardless of income or location.”
Also speaking, President of the Nigerian chapter of the International Papillomavirus Society, Professor Mohammed Manga, described HPV as one of the few cancer-causing infections that can be effectively prevented through vaccination and early detection.
He referenced the global slogan, “One Less Worry,” as a reflection of the possibility that cervical cancer could become largely preventable if countries commit fully to vaccination, screening and sustained public education.
“This is not a battle for doctors alone,” Manga said. “It requires the media, policymakers, community leaders, caregivers and citizens. No single profession can eliminate HPV. It is a collective responsibility.”
Participants agreed that while funding remains critical, strengthening health system efficiency, improving training and addressing misinformation among some health workers are equally essential.
They concluded that Nigeria stands at a pivotal moment in its HPV response. With vaccines available and awareness increasing, the country possesses the tools to significantly reduce HPV-related deaths. What remains, they said, is sustained political commitment, adequate funding and robust community-driven action to translate potential into measurable impact.
