In a fresh push to eliminate polio, the United Nations Children’s Fund and the Kano State government have renewed their pledge to vaccinate over 4.1 million children across the state.
This renewed drive comes ahead of the 2025 World Immunisation Week and was announced during a media dialogue held in Kano on Tuesday.
The State Immunisation Officer, Sa’adatu Ibrahim, explained that the immunisation initiative is part of broader efforts to maintain Nigeria’s polio-free certification and avert any return of the virus.
“The virus has no place in our communities and must be completely eradicated,” she said.
Ibrahim revealed that Kano had recorded three new cases of circulating Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in 2025. She noted that two were uncovered through Acute Flaccid Paralysis surveillance, while the third emerged via Environmental Surveillance.
The affected areas are Warawa, Bunkure, and Nasarawa Local Government Areas.
These fresh cases have triggered concern, following previous resurgences in 2023 and 2024. The state documented 27 cVDPV2 cases in 11 LGAs in 2023, and 31 cases across 17 LGAs in 2024.
“The continued isolation of cVDPV2 from stool and sewage samples shows that many eligible children are still being missed during routine immunisation and supplementary immunisation activities (SIAs),” she said. “Every missed child is a hiding place for the polio virus.”
Chief of UNICEF’s Field Office in Kano, Rahma Farah, through a representative, Michael Banda, UNICEF’s Senior Education Manager, called on the Kano State government to take stronger action.
“This is unacceptable and must be urgently addressed. Polio knows no boundaries. An outbreak anywhere threatens children everywhere,” he said.
The media dialogue, held in partnership with the State Primary Health Care Management Board, also aimed to build momentum and support from the media ahead of the vaccination campaign scheduled from April 24 to 30. The campaign coincides with the annual World Immunisation Week.
Farah emphasized the influential role of the media in combating misinformation and dispelling myths surrounding vaccines.
“UNICEF recognises and values your ongoing commitment to child rights advocacy and public awareness through your platforms,” he said. “We call on you to disseminate accurate information and encourage parents and caregivers to bring out their children for vaccination.”
He highlighted that more than three billion people have received polio vaccines globally since 1988, drastically reducing cases, but recent spikes serve as a reminder that the fight is not yet over.
UNICEF also called on local authorities and the state government to declare a state of emergency on polio and release counterpart funds promptly to sustain the campaign.
