Mirian Gom 
IBADAN, Nigeria – The Access to Basic Medical Care Foundation has called for intensified HPV vaccination among adolescent girls, warning that at least 80 per cent of women will be exposed to the virus during their lifetime.
The appeal was made during an HPV sensitisation programme for secondary school students in Ibadan on Monday, held to mark World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day.
Speaking at the event, Dr Anjola Oluwadamilola of the ABC Foundation said HPV remains the strongest risk factor for cervical cancer, which is linked to over 95 per cent of cases.
She stressed that vaccinating girls aged 9 to 14 offers the highest level of protection because the vaccine is most effective before sexual exposure.
While “catch-up” vaccination is recommended for females aged 15 to 26, Dr Oluwadamilola explained that early sexual debut, early marriage, early pregnancy and closely spaced births heighten cervical cancer risk. Other contributing factors include smoking, immunosuppression and inadequate access to screening.
She noted that although many women clear the virus naturally, high-risk strains—particularly types 16 and 18—drive the overwhelming majority of cervical cancer cases.
Chief of Operations at the foundation, Dr Olamiji Ajanaku, emphasised the global burden: over 660,000 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2022, and 350,000 died. “Ninety-four per cent of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries like ours,” he said. “Yet cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers.”
He urged parents, teachers, faith leaders and community champions to ensure all girls aged 9 to 14 receive the HPV vaccine and encouraged women aged 30 to 49 to undergo regular screening.
The event, themed “Act Now; Eliminate Cervical Cancer,” also included sessions on HPV prevention for students of TAAS Group of Schools and Comfort De Johnson Royal College.
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Chukwu Obinna 
