Nigeria has successfully vaccinated more than 14 million girls against cervical cancer, marking a major milestone in the country’s fight against one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among women. The large-scale immunization drive is part of a nationwide campaign spearheaded by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), in collaboration with international health partners such as Gavi, WHO, and UNICEF.
Announcing the milestone during First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s official visit to Enugu State, NPHCDA Director General Dr. Muyi Aina emphasized the importance of reaching girls aged 9 to 14, the most at-risk group for human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes over 95% of cervical cancer cases.
The vaccine rollout began in October 2023 and expanded across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Health officials have praised the campaign as a critical move toward reducing Nigeria’s high cervical cancer burden, which accounts for an estimated 12,000 new cases and 8,000 deaths annually, according to the WHO.
Dr. Aina reiterated the federal government’s commitment to sustaining the vaccination program and strengthening school-based outreach to ensure that every eligible girl receives full protection. Health experts note that if current efforts continue, Nigeria could eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem within a generation.
