Reported by Simon Daniel Yusuph l Journalist at Weng Global
The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has urged Nigerian journalists and digital content creators to intensify public education on HIV prevention, particularly the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), as the country strengthens efforts to reduce new HIV infections.
The agency made the call during a two-day national training for media personnel on HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis held from August 20 to 21, 2026, in Victoria Island, Lagos.
The programme was organised by NACA in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) to strengthen journalists’ understanding of PrEP and improve the quality of information reaching the public about HIV prevention.
NACA said accurate, accessible and stigma-free information is essential because the availability of prevention services alone may not be enough to encourage people who could benefit from them to seek and use those services.
NACA Highlights Media’s Role in HIV Prevention
NACA Director-General, Dr Temitope Ilori, told participants that journalists and social media influencers have an important role in closing information gaps surrounding HIV prevention.
She said traditional media remains an important channel for public health communication, while digital platforms provide opportunities to reach younger Nigerians and other audiences with information presented in accessible and relatable formats.
According to NACA, the agency wants media professionals to help answer practical questions about PrEP, including who can use it, how it works, what options are available and where prevention services can be accessed.
The agency also warned against misinformation and sensational reporting, saying inaccurate information about HIV prevention can create fear, reinforce stigma and discourage people from accessing prevention and treatment services.
NACA said media coverage should instead be evidence-based, respectful and free from language that discriminates against people affected by HIV.
What Is PrEP?
Pre-exposure prophylaxis, commonly known as PrEP, is an HIV prevention intervention for people who do not have HIV but may be at risk of acquiring the virus.
It involves the use of antiretroviral medicines before potential exposure to HIV to reduce the likelihood of infection.
The intervention is different from HIV treatment, which is used by people living with HIV, and it is also different from a vaccine.
At the Lagos training, WHO Nigeria Technical Officer for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections, Dr Oluwafunke Odunlade, explained that PrEP works by using antiretroviral medicines to help prevent HIV from establishing itself in the body.
She also outlined several PrEP options available in Nigeria, including oral PrEP, long-acting injectable cabotegravir and lenacapavir PrEP.
The appropriate option depends on individual circumstances, and people seeking PrEP should receive appropriate guidance from healthcare providers.
NACA Warns Against HIV Misinformation
NACA’s renewed appeal to journalists comes amid concerns over misinformation and persistent misconceptions surrounding HIV prevention.
The agency said inaccurate or sensational narratives can undermine public understanding and contribute to stigma, potentially making people less willing to seek testing, prevention services or treatment.
Ilori therefore encouraged journalists and digital communicators to produce content that provides clear explanations rather than reinforcing fear or judgment.
The agency said media reports should help members of the public understand HIV prevention without creating unnecessary embarrassment or discrimination.
This approach is particularly relevant in Nigeria, where public knowledge and attitudes can influence whether people access available health services.
Training Focuses on Evidence-Based Reporting
The NACA-WHO training brought together journalists, media professionals and social media influencers for technical presentations, interactive discussions, question-and-answer sessions and practical exercises.
Participants were trained on HIV transmission and prevention, the effectiveness and eligibility criteria for PrEP, available prevention options and common myths surrounding HIV.
They were also encouraged to develop messages that can communicate complex health information in language ordinary Nigerians can understand.
NACA said the objective was not simply to provide information to journalists but to strengthen their ability to translate technical health information into accurate and useful public communication.
The agency described journalists as important partners because news reports, broadcast programmes and digital content can shape how members of the public understand health issues.
Nigeria Strengthens Its HIV Prevention Strategy
The media training comes as Nigeria implements its National Strategic Plan for HIV and AIDS 2026–2030.
The strategy places emphasis on sustainability, innovation, stronger partnerships and greater community engagement in the country’s HIV response.
NACA said increasing awareness of prevention options such as PrEP forms part of the broader effort to strengthen combination HIV prevention and ensure that people who may be at increased risk of infection have access to information and services.
The agency has also stressed that greater availability of prevention tools must be accompanied by public understanding and accessibility.
This means that communication remains an important part of Nigeria’s HIV response alongside testing, treatment, prevention services and community programmes.
Why Greater PrEP Awareness Matters
The call for stronger PrEP awareness has implications beyond the media industry.
For people who may be at risk of acquiring HIV, understanding available prevention options can help them make informed decisions in consultation with qualified health professionals.
However, awareness campaigns must also avoid presenting PrEP as the only HIV prevention measure.
HIV prevention involves a combination of approaches, and public health messaging needs to explain prevention options accurately while directing people to appropriate health services.
NACA’s emphasis on evidence-based reporting reflects this need for information that is both scientifically accurate and understandable to the public.
For journalists, this also means avoiding sensational language and unverified claims about HIV, its transmission and prevention.
Tackling Stigma Through Better Journalism
Another major concern raised during the training was stigma.
NACA said judgmental narratives can discourage people from seeking information and services, while misinformation can deepen existing misconceptions about HIV.
The agency therefore encouraged journalists to humanise HIV prevention and create opportunities for people to ask questions without fear of discrimination.
Responsible reporting can help shift public discussion away from stereotypes and towards evidence-based information about prevention, testing, treatment and support.
For Nigeria’s media industry, this places an additional responsibility on journalists to distinguish between scientifically established information and claims that have not been verified.
Media and Digital Platforms as Public Health Partners
The growing importance of social media means that HIV prevention information is no longer distributed only through newspapers, television and radio.
Digital platforms allow health information to reach large audiences quickly, particularly younger people. At the same time, misinformation can spread rapidly through the same channels.
NACA and WHO therefore encouraged journalists and digital communicators to use their platforms to provide reliable information and challenge misconceptions.
The agency said the August training should serve as the beginning of continued cooperation between NACA, the media and the digital community rather than a one-time engagement.
Such collaboration could help improve the quality of HIV-related reporting and increase public awareness of available prevention services.
What Happens Next
NACA is expected to continue working with media professionals and other stakeholders to strengthen HIV prevention communication as Nigeria implements its 2026–2030 national HIV strategy.
The agency has encouraged journalists and digital communicators who participated in the training to apply the knowledge gained by producing accurate, engaging and stigma-free content about PrEP and other HIV prevention measures.
The broader objective is to ensure that Nigerians have reliable information that can help them understand HIV risks and available prevention services.
For the media, the challenge is to communicate that information accurately without sensationalism, while ensuring that people affected by HIV are treated with dignity.
As Nigeria continues its HIV response, NACA’s engagement with journalists underscores the importance of public communication alongside medical interventions. Better information cannot replace prevention and treatment services, but accurate reporting can help people understand those services and make informed decisions about their health.
Weng Global – stories beyond borders
Sources
- National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA)
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation
- Premium Times
- TheCable
- The Guardian Nigeria
