Musa Na Allah, Sokoto
In a determined move to combat the growing threat of cervical cancer among adolescent girls, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in partnership with the Sokoto State Ministry of Health and with backing from the Government of Canada, convened a high-level, one-day stakeholders’ meeting on Thursday.
The strategic session, held at the Sokoto Guest Inn, gathered health experts, government officials, and civil society stakeholders to chart a path forward for improving the uptake of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine among girls aged 9 to 14 across Sokoto State.
Addressing the participants, Dr. Danjuma Nehemiah, UNICEF’s Health Specialist for Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health in the Sokoto Field Office, called for urgent and widespread public awareness about the HPV vaccine’s importance. He warned that the fight against cervical cancer must start early before exposure to risks begins.
“Cervical cancer is a deadly disease that can be prevented with a simple vaccine.
“The target group, girls aged 9 to 14, has been carefully chosen because this is the ideal window to protect them before any potential risk of infection,” said Dr. Danjuma.
He added that early sexual activity is a major contributing factor to cervical cancer and emphasized that the HPV vaccine, already in use globally, has proven safe and effective in preventing the disease.
“Although it was introduced in Nigeria only two to three years ago, the vaccine is already available in all states and is provided free of charge,” he noted.
Dr. Danjuma stressed that eliminating cervical cancer in Nigeria will require more than just vaccine availability. It demands coordinated efforts from government bodies, civil society, community leaders, and families.
“We need everyone on board parents, teachers, religious leaders to break the stigma and champion this vaccine,” he urged.
Supporting this call, Dr. Bilyaminu Yari Sifawa, Director of Disease Control and Immunization at the Sokoto State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (SSPHCDA), described cervical cancer as a major health emergency.
“After breast cancer, cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among adolescent girls in Nigeria,” he stated.
He emphasized that the integration of the HPV vaccine into routine immunization programs must be prioritized and assured participants of the state government’s full commitment.
“We are prepared to mobilize the necessary resources and strengthen partnerships to reach every eligible girl,” Dr. Bilyaminu added.
Participants included representatives from hospitals, traditional and religious institutions, women’s associations, youth-led groups, and non-governmental organizations, all of whom pledged strong support for the vaccination drive.
Discussions at the meeting also focused on strategies to confront misinformation and cultural myths that hinder vaccine acceptance, especially in rural areas where such barriers are most pronounced.
Dr. Danjuma made a direct appeal to community influencers, calling on them to lead public education efforts.
“You are the bridge between policy and people. We need your voices to break through fear, doubt, and misinformation,” he said.
Stakeholders were tasked with developing clear, community-specific action plans to mobilize grassroots awareness and ensure every girl in the 9 to 14 age bracket is reached with accurate information and timely vaccination.
The meeting concluded with a collective declaration of commitment to intensify campaigns, foster local trust, and make cervical cancer history in Sokoto State through the successful implementation of the HPV vaccine initiative.
