The Federal Government has vaccinated 61.5 million Nigerians, mostly children, against measles, yellow fever, HPV, malaria, and Mpox from October 2023 to date.
At a press briefing for the 2025 African Vaccination Week in Abuja, Dr. Muyi Aina, Executive Director of the NPHCDA, announced the update under the theme “Immunisation for All is Humanly Possible.”
Major Vaccination Gains
The NPHCDA mapped 540,000+ settlements and tracked 926,007 under-five children. Out of these, 92% (851,929) were vaccinated in 108 high-risk wards. This strategy is now used to reach zero-dose children—those who haven’t received any vaccine.
Reaching the Last Mile
Vaccine delivery has scaled up in Kano, Bauchi, Sokoto, Kaduna, Borno, and Yobe. The agency works with states and security agencies to access hard-to-reach communities.
To boost vaccine storage, Nigeria has:
- Completed a cold chain hub in Lagos
- Started building one in Kano
- Equipped Abuja’s hub with UNICEF-supported cold rooms
- Ordered 1,653 solar-powered refrigerators with GAVI and UNICEF support
2024 Immunisation Highlights
- Measles: 25.9 million children vaccinated (98% coverage)
- Yellow Fever: 22.5 million in Lagos, Yobe, and Borno (94.6%)
- HPV: 13+ million girls (ages 9–14) vaccinated nationwide
- Malaria (R21): 101,158 children vaccinated in Kebbi and Bayelsa
- Mpox: 4,306 vaccinated in 7 states, focusing on immunocompromised people and health workers
The HPV vaccine is now part of the national immunisation schedule and is free in PHC centers.
Polio Still a Concern
A new polio campaign starts April 26 in northern states and May 3 in southern states. Nigeria has recorded 17 cVPV2 cases in 2025 across eight states, showing the virus is still active.
The government has adjusted its strategy—focusing on better team training, supervision, and accountability.
Global Praise
WHO’s Dr. Walter Mulombo, represented by Dr. Eshetu Wase, said vaccines have saved 154 million lives in 50 years. UNICEF’s Cristian Munduate called immunisation “the best public health investment,” especially with eight million births annually in Nigeria.
She praised Nigeria’s past victories, including becoming wild polio-free in 2020, and called for continued commitment.
Final Word
Nigeria’s vaccine efforts are making a difference. With improved delivery, strong partnerships, and community outreach, the country is on track to reduce preventable diseases and save more lives.
