Dutse, April 28, 2026
Stakeholders in Jigawa State have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration, to sustain polio eradication efforts and improve immunisation coverage across the state.
The commitment was renewed during a stakeholders’ review meeting ahead of the May polio vaccination campaign, convened by United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Jigawa State Government, the media and community leaders.
Speaking at the meeting, the Executive Secretary of the Jigawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Shehu Sambo, noted that although the last vaccination exercise recorded considerable success, notable challenges persists.
Represented by the Director of Public Health, Muhammad Umar, he highlighted instances of vaccine resistance by some parents, as well as cases where certain communities used the exercise to press home demands for government projects.
He stressed that the polio vaccination is critical in protecting children from preventable deaths and lifelong disabilities, warning against its politicisation or resistance.
“There are clear improvements, but more public enlightenment and coordinated efforts are required, to ensure that every parent understands the life-saving importance of immunisation,” he said.
Dr. Sambo further disclosed that the Jigawa State Government, has undertaken extensive upgrades of healthcare infrastructure and established a reliable cold chain system, to ensure safe and timely vaccine distribution.
Providing an update on coverage, the Health Communication Officer, Malam Shehu Ibrahim, revealed that over 2.2 million children were successfully vaccinated during the March campaign.
Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Muhammad Zangina, pledged increased support for the campaign in creating public awareness on the importance of the vaccines to Children’s overall health and well being.
He assured that journalists will continue to mobilise communities, generating demand, and providing feedback to enable more effective health policies.
During the meeting, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), reiterated more commitment to supporting the state through technical assistance and strategic interventions, to achieve a sustainable eradication of polio in Jigawa State and Nigeria at large.
