Eighteen million girls and counting: Nigeria's HPV drive takes aim at cervical cancer

Cervical cancer kills nearly 8,000 Nigerian women every year — but the country is now fighting back at a scale few thought possible. Nigeria's health agency has vaccinated more than 18 million adolescent girls against the human papillomavirus, reaching about 76 percent of its target and building one of the largest HPV programs in Africa. The vaccine, free for nine-year-old girls at public clinics since it entered the national schedule in October 2023, is delivered through schools and community outreach, with Gavi, UNICEF and WHO backing the rollout. 'We have crossed 18 million adolescent girls, which is equivalent to three countries in Africa,' said immunization director Rufai Garba. Officials stress the job isn't done — screening and treatment must follow — but 18 million protected girls is a milestone worth saying out loud.