The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a historic public health achievement, revealing that more than 12 million young girls across the nation have received the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine within a two-year period.
A Landmark in Preventive Healthcare
This significant milestone was disclosed by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammad Ali Pate, during the Capital Health Awards ceremony in Abuja. The minister, who was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award for Advancing Preventive Healthcare, highlighted that the vaccination campaign, integrated into the national immunisation programme in October 2023, stands as one of the largest preventive health interventions in Nigeria and the West African region.
The announcement was made on his behalf by his Senior Special Adviser, Chinedu Moghalu. Prof. Pate framed this accomplishment as a direct result of the Federal Government's dedication to disease prevention under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.
Strategic Focus on Prevention and Equity
Prof. Pate stressed that the nationwide rollout of the HPV vaccine represents a deliberate and strategic policy decision. The goal is to tackle the threat of cervical cancer at its source through prevention, ensuring equitable access, and implementing a structured delivery system. This approach prioritises stopping the disease before it starts, rather than managing it at advanced, costly, and painful stages.
He connected this success to the broader Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, which employs a Sector-Wide Approach. This initiative has reportedly mobilised an estimated $3 billion in pooled financing aimed at revitalising the country's health systems. The minister explained that the HPV campaign exemplifies how evidence-based policies are being translated into tangible action by strengthening primary healthcare and immunisation infrastructure.
Collaboration and Decades of Service
The minister acknowledged that this achievement was not accomplished in isolation. He credited the vital support of traditional and religious leaders across Nigeria for their role in building public trust and confidence in the vaccine. He also thanked development partners who provided crucial assistance in areas such as financing, logistics, expanding the cold chain for vaccine storage, health education, data management, and accountability frameworks.
Reflecting on the Lifetime Achievement Award he received, Prof. Pate noted that it symbolises over 30 years of his professional commitment to prevention, strengthening health systems, and upholding public accountability. His extensive career includes leadership positions as Chief Executive of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Minister of State for Health, and Global Director for Health, Nutrition and Population at the World Bank. At the World Bank, he led the global COVID-19 health response and managed an $18 billion emergency health programme spanning more than 100 countries.
In her address, the Founder of the Capital Health Awards, Salomey Eferemo, stated that the inaugural ceremony was established to recognise individuals whose work has profoundly advanced Nigeria's health sector and set a standard for national excellence. She described the award as a tribute to "unsung champions and visionaries whose work uplifts communities, saves lives and shapes brighter futures."
Earlier at the event, Dr. Ramatu Mohammed-Nafi'u called on both the government and society to make intentional investments in education, healthcare, nutrition, and safe environments for children. She emphasised that a child's ability to thrive is not a matter of luck but a consequence of conscious societal choices. "If we truly value what is beautiful in children, then we must protect them, educate them, listen to them and create systems that allow them to reach their full potential," she urged.
