What is PrEP and why does no one at your campus health centre mention it?

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, known as PrEP, is a daily medication that reduces the risk of contracting HIV through sex by up to 99% when taken consistently. It has been available in Nigeria since 2017. And yet, if you asked students at your campus health centre about it, the chances are very high that they would not know what you were talking about.

What PrEP actually is

PrEP is not a treatment for HIV. It is a prevention tool for people who do not have HIV but may be at risk. It works by keeping the virus from establishing itself in the body if you are exposed. The most common form is a daily pill called Tenofovir/Emtricitabine (brand name Truvada), though long-acting injectable forms are now also available in some settings.

PrEP is recommended for people who are HIV negative but have a partner living with HIV, people who do not consistently use condoms, and anyone who wants an additional layer of protection. It is safe, effective, and increasingly accessible in Nigeria through public health facilities.

What LUMA's research found at KWASU

LUMA's ongoing research on PrEP awareness at Kwara State University is revealing a significant awareness gap. Preliminary findings suggest that the majority of students surveyed had never heard of PrEP, and fewer still knew how to access it through the university's health centre or nearby public facilities. This is not unique to KWASU. It reflects a national pattern.

PEPFAR data from before the 2025 funding cuts showed that 742,000 people across 28 African countries were on PEPFAR-funded PrEP. Following the cuts, an estimated 719,000 of those people lost access. Nigeria was one of the five countries most severely affected. This crisis makes campus-level PrEP awareness more critical, not less.

Why campus health centres stay silent

Campus health centres in Nigeria were not designed around sexual health. They were designed around malaria treatment, minor injury care, and routine checkups. HIV prevention, including PrEP, was never part of their original mandate. Without specific training for campus health staff, PrEP remains invisible in campus health conversations.

This is one of LUMA's core advocacy targets: pushing Nigerian universities to train campus health staff on PrEP, integrate it into campus sexual health conversations, and make clear referral pathways available to any student who needs it.

How to access PrEP in Nigeria right now

Visit a public health facility near your university and ask specifically about PrEP. Many facilities receive PrEP through government programmes and it is available at low or no cost. You will need an HIV test first to confirm you are negative. After that, PrEP is prescribed and dispensed with follow-up appointments every three months. You do not need a referral. You can walk in and ask.

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