The United Nations International Children's Fund (UNICEF) has called on the Kano State government to declare a state of emergency on polio and routine immunisation in response to a recent resurgence of the disease in the state.
This is as UNICEF revealed that 18 polio cases have been reported across nine states in Nigeria this year, including three in Kano’s Warawa, Bunkure, and Nassarawa Local Government Areas.
UNICEF also urged the state Government to release adequate and timely counterpart funding for routine immunisation and upcoming polio vaccination campaigns scheduled for April 24–30, 2025.
This was made by Mr. Michael Banda, the Senior Education Manager and Officer-in-Charge of UNICEF Field Office Kano, during a media dialogue on Polio and Routine Immunisation, held in Kano on Tuesday.
Speaking on behalf of Mr. Rahma Rihood Mohammed Farah, Chief of UNICEF Field Office Kano, Banda noted that this period also aligns with the World Immunisation Week.
The organisation also appealed for local government chairpersons to take active roles in the campaign by launching local flag-off events, supervising vaccination efforts, and participating in daily review meetings.
The Local government chairmen were also reminded to honour all commitments made earlier this year in Kaduna to support immunisation drives.
Reacting to the resurgence of polio, Banda said, “This is unacceptable and must be halted,” stressing that polio is a highly infectious disease that can cause paralysis and death.
The organisation further called on traditional and religious leaders in Kano to mobilise their communities in support of vaccination, charging the media to counter misinformation and encourage widespread participation in the upcoming campaign.
UNICEF warned that polio outbreaks in any region pose risks to children everywhere. “Polio knows no boundaries and spreads fast,” the statement noted.
Highlighting the life-saving impact of vaccines, Banda stated that immunisation has saved 154 million lives globally over the past 50 years, however, low vaccination rates threaten progress.
UNICEF also called for the full implementation of the “One Functional Primary Healthcare Centre Per Ward” policy, arguing that strengthening routine immunisation is the key to preventing future outbreaks.
In light of the World Immunisation Week’s focus on the human papillomavirus (HPV), the organisation urged Nigerian authorities to invest in HPV vaccination to protect girls from cervical cancer.
Banda noted that, “Vaccines are available, safe, and effective, to realise a future free from vaccine-preventable diseases like polio, cervical cancer, and measles.”
