NACA Warns Against HIV Misinformation As PrEP Awareness Push Intensifies

(NACA. Photo by GistAfri.com)

The National Agency for the Control of AIDS has urged journalists and social media influencers to offer accurate and evidence-based information on HIV prevention, cautioning that stigma, dramatic reporting, and false information could jeopardize Nigeria's efforts to stop new HIV infections.

Dr. Temitope Ilori, the Director-General of NACA, issued the warning on Thursday in Lagos during a national HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis course for journalists and social media influencers, which was organized by NACA and the World Health Organization.

Ilori emphasized that Nigerians must have access to reliable information so they may make educated decisions about their health, adding that the fight against HIV goes beyond providing medications and preventative services.

For those who are HIV-negative but may be at risk of contracting the virus, she recognized PrEP as an effective HIV prevention tool.

She did point out that public knowledge, accurate comprehension, accessibility, and willingness to use PrEP would all have an impact in Nigeria in addition to its availability.

"PrEP is a highly effective HIV prevention option for people who are HIV-negative and may be at risk of acquiring HIV," she stated.

However, awareness, accurate comprehension, accessibility, and willingness to utilize it are just as important to its success in the national response as its availability.

Given their capacity to influence public discourse and reach millions of Nigerians, the head of NACA recognized journalists and social media influencers as essential collaborators in the country's HIV response.

She asserts that it is the duty of the media and online platforms to make sure that information about HIV prevention does not incite fear or perpetuate false beliefs.

"Inaccurate information about HIV prevention can create fear, reinforce stigma, and discourage people from accessing services in the age of misinformation and sensational content," the speaker stated.

Ilori advised influencers and media workers to present truthful, fact-based, courteous, and discrimination-free information.

She said they should help Nigerians understand who could use PrEP, how it works, where it could be accessed and the prevention options available.

"We need your assistance in addressing issues that people might be reluctant to ask: Who is eligible to use PrEP? How is it operated? Where is it available? Which choices are available? Perhaps most crucially, she said, "How can people prevent HIV without feeling ashamed or afraid?"

Nigeria's National Strategic Plan for HIV and AIDS 2026–2030, which emphasizes sustainability, innovation, stronger collaborations, and increased community engagement in the national response, is bolstering the country's HIV prevention strategy at the time of the warning.

Given Nigeria's high HIV prevalence and the necessity of preventing new infections while guaranteeing that individuals living with HIV have access to care and treatment, the increasing emphasis on prevention is crucial.

PrEP forms part of combination HIV prevention and is designed for people who do not have HIV but may have a higher likelihood of acquiring the virus. Unlike a vaccine, it involves taking HIV prevention medicine before potential exposure to reduce the risk of infection.

Ilori said increasing awareness about PrEP was therefore essential to ensuring that eligible Nigerians could make informed choices about HIV prevention.

She also warned against judgmental reporting and content, urging journalists to humanise HIV prevention and create platforms where people could ask questions without fear or shame.

“Your stories should humanise HIV prevention. Your content should encourage conversations rather than judgment.

And your platforms should become trusted sources of credible health information,” she said.

The NACA DG said the training should not be treated as a one-off engagement but as the beginning of a stronger partnership between the agency, the media and the digital community.

She urged participants to use their platforms to challenge misconceptions, increase demand for HIV prevention services and reduce stigma.

“Together, we can increase demand for HIV prevention services, reduce misinformation, address stigma and ensure that more Nigerians have the knowledge and tools they need to protect themselves from HIV,” Ilori said.

She added, “Let us use the power of journalism and digital influence to save lives.”