The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have urged journalists and social media influencers to combat misinformation and stigma surrounding HIV prevention.

The NACA Director-General, Dr Temitope Ilori, gave the charge on Thursday in Lagos during a training for journalists and social media influencers on HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), organised by NACA in collaboration with WHO.

Ilori said accurate information was essential to Nigeria’s HIV response, noting that misinformation and sensational reporting could create fear, reinforce stigma and discourage people from accessing prevention and treatment services.

She described PrEP as an effective HIV prevention option for people who are HIV-negative but may be at risk of acquiring the virus.

The NACA boss urged media professionals to provide evidence-based information on who can use PrEP, how it works and where it can be accessed.

She also called for the use of non-judgmental language in HIV reporting, urging journalists and influencers to use their platforms to promote informed conversations and reduce stigma.