The Kwara State Government, North Central Nigeria, has set a target of vaccinating no fewer than 1.2 million children in the 2026 statewide mass immunisation campaign against poliomyelitis, with renewed focus on rural and hard-to-reach communities.
This formed part of activities at the official flag-off of the campaign held in Afon, Asa Local Government Area, where stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to protecting every eligible child aged 0–59 months across the State.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KWSPHCDA), Prof. Nusirat Elelu, said the administration remains resolute in safeguarding children from vaccine-preventable diseases, particularly polio.
She noted that the State, in collaboration with development partners, has deployed strategic, life-saving interventions to ensure comprehensive coverage, especially in underserved areas.
Prof. Elelu, however, recalled that the State recorded two confirmed cases of Circulating Variant Poliovirus Type 2 (cVPV2) in December 2025 in Kaiama Local Government Area, with an additional case reported in January 2026, underscoring the urgency of sustained immunisation efforts.
She further highlighted the significant progress made in Asa Local Government Area, previously identified as a hotspot for vaccine hesitancy, attributing the turnaround to increased community engagement and support for government health interventions.
The Executive Secretary called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other critical stakeholders to sustain their advocacy and mobilisation efforts towards achieving a polio-free Kwara.
She also reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening the health system through continuous revitalisation and renovation of Primary Health Care Centres and General Hospitals across the State.
The Health Officer of the United Nations Children’s Fund, Dr Lukman Ahmed, commended the State Government for its proactive approach, noting that Kwara recently ranked second nationwide in the “Identifying, Enumeration and Micro-Planning” exercise.
He emphasised the importance of vaccination in sustaining Nigeria’s progress towards global polio eradication and assured UNICEF’s continued support in the areas of technical assistance, monitoring, community mobilisation, and countering misinformation.
Dr Ahmed urged community leaders to take ownership of the campaign by ensuring that no eligible child is missed during the exercise.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Asa Local Government Area, Alhaji Shehu Amasa, appealed to residents to fully embrace the immunisation campaign, stressing the need to protect children from preventable diseases.
He charged health workers to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, dedication, and resilience in service delivery.
Similarly, the District Head of Afon, Alhaji Kolapo Hannafi, pledged the support of traditional institutions in ensuring total compliance, while commending the State Government for its sustained life-saving interventions in the health sector.