A high-level delegation from the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Gates Foundation, and the Aliko Dangote Foundation have intensified efforts to eradicate polio.
They are rallying state governors to accelerate action as the country seeks to halt the transmission of circulating variant poliovirus types 2 and 3 within the next two years.
The delegation paid an advocacy visit to the Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, who chairs the National Economic Council, NEC, Task Team on Polio Eradication.
The move forms part of a broader national and global push to consolidate gains made since the African Region was certified free of wild poliovirus in 2020.
The team was jointly led by the Executive Secretary of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, Dr Muyi Aina, representing the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, and the President of Global Development at the Gates Foundation, Mr Chris Elias.
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They underscored the urgency of strengthening coordination across federal, state, and local government levels, particularly in high-risk and hard-to-reach communities.
According to the delegation, the final phase of eradication will require intensified political commitment, stronger community engagement, robust disease surveillance, and high-quality immunisation campaigns.
Dr. Aina described that Governor reaffirmed the Federal Government’s determination to end polio transmission, stressing that sustained political will and grassroots mobilisation would be crucial.
Meanwhile, Mr. Elias commended Nigeria’s steady progress, attributing recent improvements to strengthened primary healthcare systems, improved governance, and the proactive involvement of state governors.
He lauded Governor Yahaya for taking personal ownership of the eradication agenda and for galvanising collective action through the NEC platform.
Governor Yahaya pledged to spearhead Nigeria’s final push against polio, vowing to deepen engagement with fellow governors, particularly in frontline states, to scale up interventions and ensure effective implementation at local government and community levels.
“As Chairman of the NEC Task Team on Polio Eradication, I will continue to mobilise governors, deepen collaboration with the Federal Government and partners, and ensure that our collective commitments translate into measurable impact on the ground,” he said.
The governor described polio eradication as a national development imperative, citing its implications for child survival, human capital development, and long-term economic productivity.