Lagos, Nigeria | September 8, 2025 – Nigeria has now become the biggest market for the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in Africa, according to Dr. Modupe Akinyinka, Managing Director of MSD (Merck Sharp & Dohme) Nigeria.
Speaking during a stakeholder engagement on women’s health, Dr. Akinyinka attributed the milestone to the Federal Government’s nationwide HPV vaccination campaign launched in October 2023, which has significantly boosted uptake among adolescent girls. She noted that the programme, supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the World Health Organization (WHO), has positioned Nigeria as a continental leader in cervical cancer prevention.
The MSD chief disclosed that millions of doses have already been deployed across states, making Nigeria a central hub for vaccine distribution and awareness in Africa. She further emphasized that with sustained investment in healthcare systems and community mobilization, Nigeria has the potential to drastically reduce cervical cancer cases, which remain one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in the country.
Health experts at the event also urged parents and guardians to prioritize the vaccination of girls between ages 9 and 14, stressing that prevention remains the most effective strategy against HPV-related cancers.
The achievement underscores Nigeria’s growing role in public health initiatives and the global vaccine market, as authorities continue efforts to meet the WHO target of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health threat by 2030.