UNICEF Urges Nigerian Government To Boost Polio Vaccination Efforts On World Polio Day.
As part of the World Polio Day commemoration, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on the Nigerian government to intensify its commitment to ensuring that no child in the country misses out on life-saving polio vaccinations.
Speaking during the event, Rahama Farah, the Chief of the UNICEF Field Office in Kano, highlighted the importance of raising awareness about immunisation, stressing that it remains the most cost-effective way to prevent diseases, particularly in children under five.
Farah acknowledged the progress Nigeria has made in improving immunisation coverage but warned that significant challenges still remain. “In states such as Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa, we have over half a million children who have never received a single dose of vaccines. These ‘zero-dose’ children—280,281 in Kano, 171,491 in Katsina, and 104,978 in Jigawa—are at serious risk of preventable diseases, including polio,” he stated.
Nationally, Nigeria has approximately two million zero-dose children, leaving them vulnerable to a range of serious illnesses. Farah stressed that addressing this issue requires the collective efforts of the government, traditional and religious leaders, health workers, and the media.
He further urged local government chairmen to actively engage in immunisation efforts by supporting and supervising polio eradication campaigns, as well as participating in review meetings to ensure every eligible child is vaccinated.
Farah also emphasised the need for adequate funding for the health sector, particularly during vaccination campaigns, to ensure Nigeria’s continued progress in the fight against polio.
