Hope in the Classroom: A School Principal’s Fight Against Cervical Cancer in Nigeria

School principal Afodia Yusuf (left) in discussion with a nurse (right) before commencing HPV vaccination for students. Credit: Richard Adupong, JSI

By Richard Adupong

At St. Christopher’s Anglican Primary School in Maiadiko, Nigeria, Afodia Yusuf transcends her role as principal, embodying hope and resilience in ways that reach beyond the classroom to improve students’ health and well-being. In Jos South Local Government Area, where myths and fears about vaccines persist, Afodia is dedicated to changing the narrative, one conversation at a time. For her, the struggle against cervical cancer is personal—and it begins with empowering the next generation.

Afodia’s journey is rooted in a deep sense of duty. Relying on her education in public health leadership while balancing the roles of pastor’s wife and community advocate, she seamlessly blends her responsibilities to improve the health of those around her. Whether standing at the pulpit urging her congregation to adopt preventive health measures or meeting with hesitant parents to discuss the role of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in preventing cervical cancer, Afodia’s mission is clear: ensure every girl in her community is protected.

I love seeing people healthy,” Afodia says with conviction. “As a pastor’s wife, I’ve witnessed the heartbreak of losing loved ones to preventable diseases. It’s devastating, especially when I know many lives could have been saved with something as simple as a vaccine.”

At her church, Afodia invites medical professionals to educate congregants on vital health issues like cervical cancer. In her school, she partners with health care workers to organize talks on hygiene, the dangers of self-medication, and the life-saving power of vaccines.

When an HPV vaccination campaign implemented by the government of Nigeria, and supported by the HPV Vaccine Acceleration Program Partners Initiative (HAPPI), reached her community, Afodia stepped forward as a collaborator. Drawing from her experience and compassion, she took it upon herself to bridge the gap between health care workers and families. She wrote letters to parents and followed up with calls, speaking personally to those unsure about the vaccine. “Some students didn’t deliver the letters, but those calls made all the difference,” Afodia reflects with a smile.

Her persistence has paid off. Today, the majority of eligible girls at St. Christopher’s are vaccinated against HPV, a leading cause of cervical cancer. But for Afodia, this is just the beginning. “I plan to involve the Parent-Teacher Association more in discussions about health interventions,” she shares. “A sound, healthy body is essential for learning and achieving life’s goals.”

Afodia’s impact extends beyond her school. In Du B ward of Jos South LGA, over 6,000 girls have been vaccinated—nearly double the target—thanks to the tireless efforts of grassroots champions like her working in partnership with HAPPI. These extraordinary results are a testament to the power of local leadership to drive lasting change.

Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and implemented in Nigeria by JSI and the Clinton Health Access Initiative, HAPPI has helped vaccinate more than 12 million adolescents across Nigeria, ensuring them brighter, healthier futures. This includes the girls of Jos South, who will now grow up free from the threat of cervical cancer.