Mirian Gom 
LAGOS, Nigeria – A senior official of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is urging Nigerians to avoid using palm oil, vegetable oil and other oil-based substances as sexual lubricants with condoms, warning that only water-based lubricants are considered safe in such situations. The advice comes as Nigeria strengthens HIV prevention measures through wider access to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), condom use, HIV testing and treatment.
Taofeek Adeleye, Senior Manager for Prevention Programmes at AHF, gave the warning on Thursday during a national media training on HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis organised by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Lagos.
Adeleye said the correct use of condoms and compatible lubricants remains essential in reducing the risk of HIV transmission and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). He advised sexually active individuals to ensure they use condoms that fit properly.
“Two or three condoms—you will know the one that fits you. When you try them and don’t know which one fits your size, you ask, ‘Can it be done?’ I can close my eyes and put a condom on for you, which means it can be done for you,” Adeleye said.
He also urged men to assess their surroundings before engaging in sexual activity and avoid unnecessary risks.
“You can’t use palm oil, honey oil, balsamic, or vegetable oil. You can use water-based lubricants, which are advisable,” he said.
“And if you want to use saliva, it is advised that, in the absence of lubricant, the woman should use her own saliva, knowing fully well that the saliva is coming from her and going back into her, rather than using saliva from a foreign source,” Adeleye said.
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Korede Abdullah 
Oluwafunbi Bello 
Abah Felicity 