At a two-day workshop in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, UNICEF trained and equipped young leaders with the skills to advocate for HPV vaccination among their peers and communities. The initiative aims to ensure that more nine-year-old girls—the primary target for the vaccine—receive protection against cervical cancer.
Empowering Young People as Agents of Change
UNICEF’s Gender & Development Manager, Takudzwa Kanyangarara, explained that the agency’s strategy relies on adolescents’ unique potential to influence change within their communities.
“Across our programmes, we have seen the power of young people taking action, from promoting COVID-19 vaccination to supporting yellow fever campaigns,” she said. “Now, in partnership with Canada, we have launched an adolescent and youth-led initiative in Osun State to promote the HPV vaccine and adolescent health.”
Kanyangarara noted that five young leaders from Osun have been trained to design, implement, and monitor community-level activities to boost vaccination rates.
Addressing Low Uptake Despite Free Availability
The HPV vaccine is currently available free of charge to nine-year-old girls in Nigeria, following a successful multi-age campaign led by the government. However, Kanyangarara noted that uptake remains lower than desired in states like Osun.
She emphasised that engaging adolescents directly is vital to dispelling myths and ensuring widespread acceptance:
“These trained young leaders can now partner with the government and civil society to ensure that every nine-year-old girl is vaccinated and protected from cervical cancer,” she said.
Cervical Cancer: A Preventable Threat
Mrs Ngozi Izuora-Songu, UNICEF’s Adolescent Development Specialist, highlighted the urgency of the campaign, noting that cervical cancer is the second most common cancer affecting women and girls in Nigeria.
“The HPV vaccine is highly potent and effective in preventing this disease,” she said. “We need parents, guardians, school administrators, and community leaders to support this effort. Dispelling misconceptions is essential—this vaccine is not just healthcare, it’s a right for the girl child.”
Community Role in Sustaining Change
UNICEF Social and Behavioural Change Specialist Aderonke Akinola-Akinwole reinforced the message that community members, particularly parents and caregivers, have a crucial role to play.
“The vaccine is accessible in all local government areas of Osun State. Parents and caregivers must ensure every nine-year-old girl gets the vaccine, not just for today but to secure their future,” she stressed.
State Efforts to Overcome Barriers
Mrs Olaore Francisca Adebola, the Osun State Immunisation Officer, acknowledged ongoing challenges, including rumours and misinformation about the vaccine. She described efforts to counter these barriers and reach a significant target population.
“In Osun State, we estimate we have up to three million nine-year-old girls we are targeting for HPV vaccination,” she said. “We’re working with UNICEF, adolescent health promoters, and the state government to ensure this goal is met.”
Building Strategies for Sustainable Impact
The workshop concluded with the development of new strategies to improve HPV vaccine acceptance across all Local Government Areas in the state. Participants—ranging from health officials to teachers and community leaders—were encouraged to partner actively with government and development agencies to achieve this goal.
UNICEF’s initiative in Osun underscores a broader strategy: using local voices and peer networks to transform health outcomes, reduce preventable diseases like cervical cancer, and build healthier futures for Nigeria’s girls.