Intensify polio immunisation now, NEC directs Nigerian state govts

The National Economic Council (NEC) has directed state governments to step up efforts on polio immunisation to consolidate recent gains against the virus.

The directive was issued on Thursday during a council meeting chaired by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, where members reviewed Nigeria’s progress in eradicating the disease.

In his briefing, Inuwa Yahaya, governor of Gombe state and chair of the NEC committee on polio eradication, reported that Nigeria recorded 42 cases of the circulating variant type 2 poliovirus so far in 2025. This represents a sharp decline compared to the 78 cases confirmed in 2024.

According to Yahaya, Kano and Katsina have achieved reductions of more than 80 percent, while Zamfara has not recorded any new infections this year. Sokoto, however, remains the most affected, with 13 cases confirmed nationwide.

He noted that vaccination coverage had risen to 84 percent by June, with millions of children reached in high-risk states. The campaigns, he added, also provided additional health interventions, including nutrition support for pregnant women and malaria prevention.

To sustain the progress, the NEC approved a series of upcoming immunisation exercises, beginning with a targeted campaign in high-risk states from September 11 to 14.

This will be followed by a nationwide integrated vaccination drive in October to cover children under 14 against polio, measles, rubella, and malaria.

The council also mandated deputy governors, who serve as heads of state task forces, to convene meetings ahead of each vaccination round, while local government chairmen will oversee mop-up operations in communities.

Security agencies have equally been instructed to provide protection in vulnerable areas, particularly in Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi states.

Meanwhile, the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) stressed the need for timely funding to sustain progress and avoid setbacks.

In response, the council directed the office of the accountant-general to prioritise disbursement of resources for vaccination campaigns and other primary healthcare programmes.