The Nigerian Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming the country’s primary healthcare system and scaling up immunisation coverage nationwide.
Dr Muyi Aina, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), announced this during the agency’s first-quarter press briefing and the official launch of the 2025 African Vaccination Week in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
In his keynote address, Dr Aina outlined three strategic focus areas guiding the agency’s current interventions: strengthening the NPHCDA’s institutional framework, ensuring the delivery of quality and equitable health services, and positioning primary healthcare as the foundation for Nigeria’s health security.
He noted that the Nigerian Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, has significantly increased health sector allocations.
“We are beginning to see direct investments in the revitalisation of PHCs, with the goal of making at least one fully functional PHC available in every political ward in Nigeria,” he stated.
According to Dr. Aina, more than 1,600 Primary Healthcare Centres receiving the Basic Health Care Provision Fund have been assessed, with only 20% currently meeting functional standards.
Further evaluation of over 18,000 facilities nationwide revealed critical gaps, reinforcing the need for targeted interventions and policy reforms.
“We are embarking on evidence-based strategies to improve performance at the facility level, while leveraging technology, accountability mechanisms, and community engagement,” he said.
The ED/CEO also urged Nigerians, particularly parents and caregivers, to utilise PHC services, including immunisation, antenatal care, and family planning.
Dr Aina emphasised that immunisation is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions.
“Vaccines save lives. They are essential in building a healthier, more resilient society and preventing outbreaks that strain our fragile health system,” he added.
The World Health Organisation (WHO), represented by Dr Eshetu Wassie of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation, highlighted that vaccines have saved over 154 million lives in the past 50 years—a testament to their enduring public health value.
While acknowledging Nigeria’s success in eradicating wild poliovirus, Dr Wassie warned of the ongoing threat posed by circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus due to low routine immunisation coverage.
He urged sustained efforts to reach every child, especially in underserved communities.
UNICEF Country Representative Cristian Munduate expressed concern over Nigeria’s high number of unvaccinated children.
She revealed that one in three children born annually in the country misses routine immunisation, leaving them vulnerable to preventable diseases like measles, diphtheria, and polio.
Munduate called for increased domestic funding, stronger community-level engagement, and the deployment of digital tracking tools to improve vaccine delivery.
She also urged the media to counter misinformation and bolster public trust in immunisation programmes.
The 2025 African Vaccination Week, themed “Immunisation for All is Humanly Possible,” presents an opportunity to highlight the importance of vaccines and mobilise all sectors of society.
Dr. Muyi Aina, ED/CEO of NPHCDA, encouraged citizens to support the initiative and help make immunisation accessible to everyone, everywhere.
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