UNICEF, Kano Govt commit to polio eradication, target over 4.1m children
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Kano State Government have reaffirmed their commitment to eradicating polio, with plans to vaccinate more than 4.1 million children across the state.
This pledge was made during a media dialogue on polio and routine immunisation held in Kano on Tuesday, ahead of the 2025 World Immunisation Week.
Speaking at the event, the state Immunisation Officer, Sa’adatu Ibrahim, stated that World Immunisation Week is part of ongoing efforts to maintain Nigeria’s polio-free status and prevent the virus from resurfacing.
“Our goal is to ensure every child receives the polio vaccine. The virus has no place in our communities and must be completely wiped out,” she said.
Ms Ibrahim revealed that the state had reported three new confirmed cases of circulating Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in 2025, sparking new concerns about gaps in immunisation coverage and surveillance.
Two of the cases were identified through acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance, while the third was detected through environmental surveillance (ES). The cases were reported in the Warawa, Bunkure, and Nassarawa local government areas (LGAs).
These recent cases follow earlier outbreaks in 2023 and 2024, which saw 27 cVDPV2 cases across 11 LGAs in 2023, and 31 cases across 17 LGAs in 2024.
“The continued isolation of cVDPV2 from stool and sewage samples indicates that many eligible children are still being missed during routine immunisation and supplementary immunisation activities (SIAs). Every missed child is a potential host for the polio virus,” she explained.
Rahma Farah, the Chief of the UNICEF Field Office in Kano, urged the state government to declare a state of emergency on polio and routine immunisation in light of the recent resurgence of the disease.
Mr Farah, represented by UNICEF Senior Education Manager Michael Banda, stressed the urgency of the situation, noting that Nigeria has recorded 18 cases of polio across 18 LGAs in nine states, including the three affected areas in Kano.
“This is unacceptable and must be urgently addressed. Polio knows no boundaries. An outbreak anywhere threatens children everywhere,” he said.
The dialogue, organised in collaboration with the Kano State Government and the State Primary Health Care Management Board, aimed to mobilise media support ahead of the upcoming polio vaccination campaign. The vaccination campaign is scheduled for April 24 to 30, coinciding with World Immunisation Week.
Mr Farah underscored the important role the media plays in countering disinformation, myths, and rumours that hinder vaccination efforts.
“We recognise and value your ongoing commitment to child rights advocacy and public awareness. We urge you to disseminate accurate information and encourage parents and caregivers to bring their children for vaccination,” he said.
Since 1988, over three billion people globally have been vaccinated against polio, contributing to a significant decline in cases. However, Farah cautioned that recent outbreaks show that the battle is far from over.
UNICEF also appealed to local government authorities and urged the Kano State Government to demonstrate political will by declaring a state of emergency on polio and ensuring the timely release of counterpart funds.