The Public Relations and Protocol (PR&P) Unit of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), convened the National Training of Media Personnel on HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) from 20th to 21st August 2026 in Victoria Island, Lagos.
The two-day training brought together journalists, media professionals and social media influencers to strengthen their knowledge and understanding of PrEP and enhance their capacity to communicate accurate, evidence-based and stigma-free information on HIV prevention to the public. The training recognised the important role of the media and digital platforms in increasing awareness, addressing misinformation and promoting demand for HIV prevention services.
Training objectives:
By the end of the training, participants were expected to be able to:
1. Understand the basics of HIV transmission and prevention.
2. Understand the role, effectiveness, eligibility criteria and benefits of PrEP as an HIV prevention intervention.
3. Enhance their ability to report evidence-based and factually accurate information on PrEP and HIV prevention.
4. Address common misconceptions and misinformation surrounding PrEP.
5. Develop compelling messages that promote awareness and demand for PrEP services.
The training commenced with an opening session attended by the DG NACA; Dr. Temitope Ilori, Mrs Toyin Aderibigbe; Head Public Relations & Protocol, Dr. Taiwo Olakunle; Deputy Director; Prevention Component; National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STI Control Program (NASCP), Dr. Oluwafunke Odunlade; Technical Officer, HIV, VH & STI (WHO), Dr. Ayoola Abiodun; Director Health & Social Care (NOA), along side representatives from AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Root to Rise, Centre for Population Health Initiative (CPHI), APIN Public Health Initiatives, National Key Population Health Research and Response Network (NKPHRN), media professionals, journalists and social media influencers, among other stakeholders.
The Director General delivered the opening remarks, welcoming participants and highlighting the importance of the training to Nigeria’s HIV prevention response. She noted that the fight against HIV extends beyond the provision of medicines and services and requires ensuring that individuals have access to accurate information that enables them to make informed decisions about their health.
In her remarks, the she emphasised that PrEP is a highly effective HIV prevention option for people who are HIV-negative and may be at risk of acquiring HIV. She stressed that the effectiveness and impact of PrEP at the national level depend not only on its availability but also on awareness, correct understanding, accessibility and willingness to use the available prevention options. She highlighted the critical role of journalists and social media influencers as partners in public health communication. She noted that while traditional media remains a powerful channel for reaching the public, social media provides an unprecedented opportunity to reach young people and other audiences with information that is engaging, relatable and easy to understand. The Director-General also cautioned against the spread of misinformation and sensational content, noting that inaccurate information about HIV prevention can create fear, reinforce stigma and discourage people from accessing services. She therefore urged participants to provide accurate, evidence-based, respectful and non-stigmatising information about PrEP. She encouraged media professionals and influencers to help answer questions that people may be reluctant to ask, including who can use PrEP, how it works, the available options and where it can be accessed.
The Director General noted that the training was particularly timely as Nigeria continues to strengthen its HIV prevention response under the National Strategic Plan 2026–2030, which emphasises sustainability, innovation, stronger partnerships and greater community engagement. She described the training not as a one-off event but as the beginning of a stronger partnership between NACA, the media and the digital community.
The training featured technical presentations, interactive discussions, question-and-answer sessions and practical exercises focused on HIV transmission, prevention and PrEP. Participants gained a better understanding of PrEP, including its effectiveness, eligibility, benefits and available options. Sessions also addressed common myths, misconceptions and misinformation, while emphasising evidence-based reporting and the development of simple, engaging and audience-specific messages for traditional and social media platforms.
The training provided an important platform for equipping media personnel and social media influencers with the knowledge and skills needed to support Nigeria’s HIV prevention efforts. Participants were encouraged to apply the knowledge gained by producing accurate, evidence-based and engaging PrEP content, while continued collaboration between NACA, WHO and the media was recommended to sustain public awareness, increase demand for prevention services and support the implementation of the National Strategic Plan 2026–2030
