INTRODUCTION:
Human Papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) has been found to protect against cervical cancer in more than 90% of women. However, many female children remain unprotected due to the cost of the vaccine1,2. Following widespread misinformation about Nigeria's 2023 national HPV vaccination campaign targeting girls aged 9-14 years, uptake varied significantly across states3. The role of caregivers in allowing their children to get vaccinated is crucial for improving vaccine uptake. This study aimed to explore factors influencing caregivers' decisions regarding HPV vaccination for their children following Nigeria's 2023 national vaccination campaign in Ilorin East LGA, Kwara state.

METHODS:
Thematic analysis of five focus group discussions with caregivers of eligible female children between the ages of 9−14 years in Ilorin east LGA, Kwara state.

RESULTS:
Participants acknowledged knowing about the campaign from multiple channels including their children returning from school, radio, social media platforms, and discussions with family and friends. Trust in health systems emerged as the central determinant of vaccination decisions, amidst fears of population control and fertility impacts. Personal experiences with cervical cancer deaths served as motivators for acceptance. Despite free vaccine provision, systemic barriers including geographic inequities limited access, particularly for remote and marginalized communities. Caregivers recommended house-to-house delivery, multilingual communication strategies, and sustained government commitment to improve future vaccination programmes.

CONCLUSIONS:
Findings revealed that successful vaccination programmes require more than free vaccine provision. By addressing the complex factors influencing caregiver decisions, public health programmes can design more effective, equitable, and sustainable interventions that protect children from preventable diseases while respecting community values and concerns