The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria has urged Nigerians to prioritize condom use as a simple yet effective way to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
The foundation made the call in a statement on Wednesday in Lokoja, as part of activities to mark International Condom Day (ICD) 2026, themed “Just Use It!”
The statement, made available to journalists by Mr Steve Aborishade, Senior Advocacy and Marketing Manager at AHF Nigeria, said the event aims to put condoms back in the spotlight as a powerful tool in HIV and STI prevention.
AHF noted that the surge in STI rates worldwide—particularly syphilis—stems from diminished global funding and lack of prioritization of condoms in prevention efforts.
According to the statement, AHF Nigeria will host ICD celebrations in Awka, Anambra, on February 12, and at the University of Abuja, Faculty of Mass Communication, on February 13.
The events will feature free condom distribution, condom awareness activities, and HIV testing.
The organization is also hosting a prevention symposium for students, emphasizing the need to halt rising STI rates and stem new HIV infections.
“Condoms are cheap, effective, and proven, yet too often people can’t get them or face stigma for using them,” said Martin Matabishi, AHF Africa Bureau Chief.
Matabishi emphasized that governments must step up domestic health financing and remove barriers to access, ensuring condoms are freely and widely available.
Dr Echey Ijezie, AHF Nigeria Country Program Director, said: “Using condoms is the best and most cost-effective method to prevent HIV, other STIs, and unplanned pregnancies.”
AHF said the ICD celebration aims to raise awareness about the importance of condom use in preventing HIV and STIs, and to promote access to condoms and HIV testing services.
Since 2011, AHF Nigeria has conducted over 2.5 million HIV tests, distributed 27 million condoms, and trained over 2,058 government health workers.
The organization operates 153 comprehensive and decentralized HIV clinics across seven states.
AHF is a global non-profit organization providing cutting-edge medicine and advocacy to more than 2.8 million people in 50 countries worldwide in Africa, the Americas, the Asia/Pacific Region, and Europe.
It is currently the largest non-profit provider of HIV/AIDS medical care in the world.
