Nigeria will require at least $1 billion over the next five years to sustain its immunisation achievements, the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Muyi Aina, has revealed.
Dr Aina made the disclosure during the Multi-Stakeholders’ Technical Workshop on Optimising a Sustainable Immunisation Financing Model 2.0, held on Wednesday in Abuja.
Nigeria’s immunisation financing model is a shared responsibility across federal, state, and local governments, with the federal government taking the lead on funding routine immunisation.
Despite notable gains in immunisation coverage, Aina said the sector faces serious funding challenges, with only 21 percent of the 2024 vaccine budget released to date.
“We need one billion dollars over the next five years to secure vaccines for our population,” he stated.
“But with less than a quarter of this year’s budget released, we are at risk of reversing hard-won gains.”
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Key Achievements Amid Funding Gaps
Aina noted that, despite financial constraints, the country recorded important achievements in 2024:
- Three million previously unreached, zero-dose children were vaccinated.
- 14 million girls received the HPV vaccine to protect against cervical cancer.
- Over 91 million vaccine doses were administered nationwide.
- More than 10,000 cold chain units were operational across the country to ensure vaccine preservation.
He emphasised that immunisation is a national obligation and not the sole responsibility of the federal government.
“Immunisation is a national duty — for our children, our families, and the future of our health system,” Aina said.
Towards Sustainable Financing
The workshop brought together stakeholders across Nigeria’s health sector to deliberate on sustainable strategies for funding immunisation, especially as Nigeria begins to transition from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, support.
Dr Aina said the federal government is working to allocate available resources more efficiently, with greater focus on primary healthcare and preventive services.
To close future funding gaps, he said Nigeria is exploring alternative revenue streams, including earmarked taxes and innovative financing mechanisms.
Discussions at the workshop highlighted the need for:
- Stronger domestic resource mobilisation,
- Accountability frameworks, and
- Collaborative efforts across all tiers of government.
Gavi Transition and Funding Outlook
Gavi has been a key partner in Nigeria’s immunisation success, providing vaccines and financial support.
However, as the country transitions from donor dependence, the focus is shifting to sustainable domestic financing.
Experts at the workshop warned that without adequate funding, vaccines may not reach those who need them most.
“Sustainability must be at the heart of Nigeria’s immunisation financing,” one health advocate noted.
Aina concluded by reaffirming NPHCDA’s commitment to building a resilient immunisation financing system that will protect future generations and strengthen national health security.