A medical practitioner has cautioned sexually active people against using palm oil, vegetable oil and other oil-based substances as lubricants during sexual activity.
Taofeek Adeleye, Senior Manager for Prevention Programmes at the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, gave the advice during a national training for media personnel on HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) on Thursday, August 20, 2026.
Adeleye warned against using substances such as palm oil, vegetable oil and other household products as alternatives to purpose-made lubricants.
He advised sexually active people who require lubrication to opt for water-based lubricants, which he said are more appropriate.
The medical practitioner also offered guidance on situations where a person does not have access to a lubricant, saying personal saliva could be considered rather than using saliva from another person.
He further encouraged sexually active individuals to use condoms that fit properly, stressing the importance of choosing the appropriate size.
His comments formed part of discussions around HIV prevention and safer sexual practices, as health professionals continue to encourage the public to make informed choices that reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections.
