HPV and Cancer Prevention: What Every Nigerian Needs to Know

By Nonye Moses

Across Nigeria and around the world, awareness about the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is growing. Health campaigns, school drives, and social media advocacy have highlighted one clear message: HPV vaccination can prevent cancers and protect both men and women. The ongoing public health mobilisation marks a turning point in Nigeria’s effort to reduce the burden of preventable cancers through early intervention and awareness.

Cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer among women in Nigeria, after breast cancer. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the country records more than 12,000 new cases and about 8,000 deaths annually. Most of these deaths occur because the disease is often detected too late, yet the cause, HPV, is largely preventable through vaccination. Globally, the WHO estimates that more than 95 percent of cervical cancer cases are linked to HPV infection, a clear indication that prevention through vaccination and regular screening could save millions of lives.

HPV is a group of more than 100 related viruses, and about 40 of them infect the genital area. Certain high-risk types, notably HPV 16 and 18, are responsible for nearly 70 percent of cervical cancer cases worldwide. Other types cause genital warts and cancers of the anus, penis, throat, vulva, and vagina. The virus infects the epithelial cells, which are the surface cells that line the skin and mucous membranes. Over time, persistent infection with high-risk HPV types can trigger abnormal cell changes that, if left untreated, may progress into cancer.

The virus spreads primarily through intimate skin-to-skin contact in the genital area, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex, or close genital-to-genital contact. It is not transmitted through blood, food, water, or casual contact such as hugging, shaking hands, or sharing utensils. In most people, the immune system clears the virus naturally within two years without causing any harm. However, in a small number of cases, the infection persists, silently damaging cells over time and leading to cancer. For someone who has never had sexual contact, and whose partner has never been sexually active, the risk of HPV transmission is extremely low.

The HPV vaccine prevents infection before exposure. It does not treat existing infections but helps the immune system produce antibodies that can fight the virus if encountered later. Gardasil 9, the most widely used vaccine, protects against nine HPV types, including those responsible for most cancers and genital warts. The vaccine’s protection has been proven to last for many years, with research showing strong immune memory that continues long after vaccination. WHO and the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention recommend vaccination for girls and boys aged 9 to 14, ideally before sexual debut. Individuals up to age 45 can still benefit, though protection is strongest before any exposure to HPV.

Nigeria officially introduced the HPV vaccine into its routine immunisation schedule on 24 October 2023, beginning with sixteen states and the Federal Capital Territory. The first phase covered Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Enugu, Jigawa, Kano, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ogun, Osun, Taraba, and the FCT. Reports from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) showed that by November 2023, the campaign had already achieved about 78 percent coverage across these pilot states. Encouraged by the success, the Federal Government began the second phase of the rollout in May 2024 to cover the remaining states, with the goal of vaccinating all eligible girls aged 9 to 14 nationwide.

The initiative is supported by global partners including Gavi, UNICEF, and WHO, and it represents a major step toward achieving the WHO target of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2030. Nigeria’s approach combines free vaccination for eligible girls in public facilities, community mobilisation, and school-based campaigns to ensure widespread access. Adults outside the age bracket can still access the vaccine in private clinics, where costs range between ₦45,000 and ₦90,000 per dose. Adults typically receive three doses over six months for full protection, though WHO has now endorsed a single-dose schedule in some countries to improve access and reduce cost barriers.

HPV vaccination does not replace cervical cancer screening but complements it. Screening remains crucial because it helps detect precancerous changes early, even among women who were never vaccinated or who may have missed a vaccine dose. The combination of vaccination and regular screening could virtually eliminate cervical cancer within a generation—a goal already being approached in countries like Australia and the United Kingdom, where widespread vaccination has drastically reduced infection and precancer rates.

However, as with many public health interventions, myths and misinformation remain a challenge. Some parents still hesitate to allow their daughters to receive the vaccine, fearing that it might encourage early sexual activity or affect fertility—claims that have been scientifically disproven. Extensive global research has shown that the HPV vaccine is safe, effective, and does not influence sexual behaviour or reproductive health. It simply protects against infection that can cause cancer years later. The WHO, UNICEF, and Nigeria’s Ministry of Health have all reaffirmed the vaccine’s safety record, citing more than 500 million doses administered worldwide with minimal side effects, typically limited to mild pain or redness at the injection site.

In many Nigerian communities, health workers and educators have taken on the responsibility of explaining the vaccine’s benefits in local languages and through trusted community leaders. Such efforts are helping to overcome cultural resistance and build public confidence. The involvement of mothers, teachers, and religious leaders has proven particularly effective in increasing acceptance, as families learn that HPV vaccination is about protecting health, not promoting promiscuity.

Men and boys also play an essential role in this public health effort. While much focus has been on preventing cervical cancer in women, HPV can also cause cancers of the penis, anus, and throat in men. Vaccinating boys not only protects them directly but also reduces the spread of HPV to future partners, creating herd protection that benefits the entire population. Several countries, including the United States and Canada, now routinely vaccinate boys, and experts hope Nigeria will eventually expand access in that direction.

As awareness spreads and more people gain access to the vaccine, Nigeria stands on the threshold of a major public health victory. Cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases are largely preventable, and vaccination offers the best chance to protect future generations. Every girl or boy vaccinated today represents a life potentially spared from cancer tomorrow. The success of the HPV vaccine campaign depends not just on government action but on continued public trust, education, and collective responsibility.

The message is clear: HPV infection can be prevented, and so can the cancers it causes. Choosing vaccination is choosing life, health, and a future where preventable cancers no longer claim the lives of Nigerian women and men.