NGO Advocates Sustained HPV Vaccination in Ondo
By Olusegun HOSEA
15 May, 2026
An international non-governmental organisation, Girl Effect Nigeria, has called for the sustained implementation of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme was initially meant for children between the ages of 9 to 14 in Ondo State but now it’s only for Girls aged 9
The call was made by the organisation’s Zonal Project Manager, Idris Suleiman, during an interview with journalists in Akure after the Ondo State Learning and Sustainability Meeting held with stakeholders at Ijapo.
The meeting was attended by government officials, traditional rulers, women leaders, education stakeholders, and representatives of various health organisations.
Participants at the meeting stressed the importance of sustaining efforts toward the eradication of HPV, particularly among girl-child populations. Experts at the gathering explained that HPV is a common virus linked to cervical cancer, genital warts, anal cancer, throat cancer, and other mouth-related cancers.
According to the resource persons, the meeting was organised to review key project achievements, share preliminary findings, validate sustainability plans, and secure stakeholders’ commitment toward sustaining HPV vaccination and adolescent healthcare programmes beyond the current project cycle.
They urged the Ondo State Government to take ownership of the programme and ensure continuous funding after donor support ends.
Speaking at the meeting, stakeholders commended the support received from development partners, including World Health Organization, UNICEF, Clitton Health Access Initiatives (CHAII ) and other NGOs and community-based organisations.
They also appreciated the contributions of the Ministry of Education, the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Area Education Officers, guidance counsellors, Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), and the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) toward the success of the vaccination campaign.
Officials noted that the HPV vaccine, introduced to protect girls from cervical cancer, had recorded impressive coverage in Ondo State, especially during last year’s mass vaccination campaign, which reportedly ranked among the highest in the South-West region.
The organisers explained that while the programme initially targeted girls between 9 and 14 years old, the current focus is on nine-year-old girls in line with government policy, which provides free HPV vaccination for every eligible girl.
Speaking further, Suleiman said the organisation decided to convene the sustainability meeting as its funding cycle gradually winds down.
“We do not want the gains achieved during the project to be lost after the programme ends. Every day, more girls become eligible for the vaccine, and stakeholders must continue to take ownership of the programme,” he said.
He identified poor awareness and misinformation among some parents as one of the major challenges affecting vaccine acceptance, adding that community sensitisation had helped reduce resistance significantly.
Suleiman also stressed the importance of ensuring regular vaccine availability across health facilities in the state, noting that shortages could discourage uptake among residents.
According to him, the vaccines are supplied through collaboration between the Nigerian government and international partners, particularly Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, since the vaccines are procured internationally.
