An HIV prevention expert has cautioned that improper use of condoms, including the use of oil-based lubricants, can increase the likelihood of condoms breaking and undermine protection against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

The Senior Manager for Prevention Programmes at the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Taofeek Adeleye, issued the warning in Lagos on Thursday during a two-day training for journalists and social media influencers on HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP).

The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) organised the training in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO). It aims to enhance journalists’ understanding of PrEP and other HIV prevention strategies and to improve public access to accurate information about HIV.

Adeleye stated that those relying on condoms for protection should be vigilant about correct usage, including selecting the right condom size and employing suitable lubricants.

He advised against the use of palm oil, vegetable oil, and other oil-based substances with condoms, recommending water-based lubricants instead.

“You can’t use palm oil, honey oil, balsamic, or vegetable oil. You can use water-based lubricants, which are advisable,” he said.

His caution aligns with international guidance on condom usage.

The United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (US-CDC) advises people using latex condoms to use water-based or silicone-based lubricants rather than oil-based products. The agency emphasises that oil-based lubricants can weaken condoms and lead to breakage.

Similarly, WHO says lubricants can reduce the likelihood of condoms breaking, slipping or falling off when used correctly.

Adeleye also underlined the importance of using condoms of the appropriate size.

He recommended that individuals take precautions before engaging in sexual activity and remain conscious of potential risks.

“I always advise men that when you are going to engage in sexual activity, you should also look around. When you are coming in here, you look at the room before you enter. You don’t just go into a place without knowing what is there,” he explained.

Condoms still crucial with PrEP

This discussion coincides with Nigeria’s expanding focus on preventing new HIV infections through multiple measures, including condoms, HIV testing, and PrEP.

PrEP is an HIV prevention method for individuals without HIV but at risk. It involves medication to reduce the chance of acquiring the virus.

However, PrEP does not guard against other sexually transmitted infections or unintended pregnancies. WHO recommends that condoms and lubricants continue to be part of HIV prevention services along with PrEP.

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Nigeria is also seeking to strengthen its HIV prevention response. In March, NACA launched the National HIV Prevention Plan 2026–2030, shifting greater attention towards preventing new infections rather than relying primarily on treatment after infection.

New infections

Despite progress in expanding treatment and prevention services, Nigeria continues to see thousands of new HIV infections, according to NACA’s Director-General, Temitope Ilori.

Ilori stated that about 45,000 new infections were recorded last year, with concerns about infections among young people.

“We have new infections coming up. There were about 45,000 new infections as of last year. We’re still gathering information regarding this year,” she said.

She highlighted that these figures reinforce the need to strengthen prevention efforts, noting that while approximately 1.3 per cent of the general population live with HIV, over 98 per cent are HIV-negative.

She asserted that Nigeria’s response should focus on preventing new infections while ensuring that those living with HIV have access to treatment.

Ilori identified condoms and PrEP among the key HIV prevention options, emphasising that individuals should adopt prevention methods suitable for their circumstances and level of risk.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed the closure of poliovirus type 2 outbreaks in five African countries following assessments that found transmission had been interrupted.

The countries are Burundi, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, the Republic of Congo and Uganda, the WHO Regional Office for Africa said in a statement on Wednesday.

“Teams from the Independent Outbreak Response Assessment (OBRA) conducted separate assessments between January and June 2026, reviewing disease surveillance, laboratory and epidemiological data,” WHO noted.

WHO explained that the transmission was interrupted through targeted vaccination campaigns, epidemiological investigations and expanded environmental surveillance.

How countries stopped the outbreaks

In Burundi, where a circulating poliovirus type 2 outbreak was declared in March 2023, health authorities intensified routine vaccination and surveillance, with support from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).

WHO explained that through targeted vaccination campaigns, epidemiological investigations and expanded environmental surveillance, the transmission was interrupted.

Uganda also strengthened surveillance and outbreak response after poliovirus was detected in May 2024, while Ghana combined laboratory investments with disease surveillance and rapid outbreak response.

“Earlier this year, both countries upgraded their lab capacity, further strengthening their ability to detect and respond rapidly to poliovirus and other vaccine-preventable diseases,” WHO said.

In Guinea-Bissau, it added that targeted vaccination campaigns and enhanced surveillance focused on underserved populations have resulted in no poliovirus detections since July 2021.

The Republic of Congo strengthened surveillance and conducted multiple vaccination campaigns after virus detections, with the last detection reported in December 2023.

In his comments, WHO Regional Director for Africa, Mohamed Janabi, said the closures showed what could be achieved through national leadership, health workers, and collaboration among governments, communities, and partners.

“While this is an important milestone, it is not the end of the journey. Continued vigilance, strong surveillance and high immunisation coverage remain essential to protect children and prevent future outbreaks,” Mr Janabi was quoted to have said.

Nigeria maintains zero wild poliovirus

Nigeria has maintained zero transmission of wild poliovirus for six years, according to the WHO.

The country has also continued responding to circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2), which remains a concern despite the absence of wild poliovirus transmission.

WHO recently highlighted the work of the National Polio Laboratory in Ibadan, which supports surveillance and rapid detection of poliovirus in the country.

According to the global body, the laboratory analyses more than 23,000 stool samples from 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) each year and processes sewage samples from 60 wastewater surveillance sites.

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It has also sequenced more than 1,000 poliovirus isolates since receiving WHO accreditation in February 2025.

WHO added that the laboratory is preparing for full accreditation by September 2026.

“With the Government of Nigeria and partners, WHO supports nationwide surveillance, vaccination campaigns and real-time data monitoring. These efforts help ensure every child is reached and every signal is investigated,” it noted.

Continued vigilance

Despite the latest achievement, the WHO warned that closing an outbreak does not eliminate the risk of future detections or reimportation.

The organisation pointed to the recent detection of poliovirus in Madagascar, after the country had previously declared its outbreak closed, as a reminder of the continuing risk.

WHO said countries must therefore maintain “high-quality surveillance and strong population immunity.”