The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on the Kano State Government to declare a state of emergency on polio and routine immunisation following a resurgence of the disease in the state.
The Chief of UNICEF’s Field Office in Kano, Rahma Farah, made the appeal during a media dialogue on polio and routine immunisation ahead of World Immunisation Week.
The dialogue, held in collaboration with the Kano State Government and the State Primary Health Care Management Board, aimed to secure media support in mobilising public participation for the upcoming Polio Vaccination Campaign, scheduled for 24–30 April 2025, coinciding with World Immunisation Week.
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Mr Farah, represented by UNICEF’s Senior Education Manager in Kano, Michael Banda, noted that Nigeria recorded 18 polio cases across 18 local government areas in nine states, including three instances in Warawa, Bunkure, and Nassarawa LGAs of Kano State.
According to him, “This is unacceptable and must be urgently addressed. Polio knows no boundaries. An outbreak anywhere threatens children everywhere.”
He emphasised the media’s critical role in countering disinformation, myths, and rumours that often hinder vaccination efforts.
“UNICEF recognises and values your ongoing commitment to child rights advocacy and public awareness through your platforms.
“We call on you to disseminate accurate information and encourage parents and caregivers to bring out their children for vaccination,” he said.
UNICEF noted that more than three billion people have been vaccinated against polio globally since 1988, leading to a dramatic reduction in cases.
However, the agency warned that recent outbreaks indicate the fight is not yet over.
The organisation appealed to the Chairman of the Association of Local Government Chairmen to secure financial commitments from LGA leaders for polio campaigns.
It also urged all LGA chairpersons to actively participate in implementation, oversight, and resolution of non-compliance issues.
Furthermore, both UNICEF and the Kano State Government reaffirmed their commitment to eradicating polio in the state, targeting the vaccination of no fewer than 4.1 million children.
On her part, the State Immunisation Officer (SIO), Sa’adatu Ibrahim, stated that World Immunisation Week was part of efforts to maintain Nigeria’s polio-free status and prevent the virus’s resurgence.
“Our target is to reach every child with the polio vaccine. The virus has no place in our communities and must be completely eradicated,” she said.
According to her, Kano State reported three new confirmed cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVPV2) in 2025, raising concerns about persistent gaps in immunisation coverage and surveillance.
According to data obtained by the Voice of Nigeria at the event, “This latest detection follows a resurgence in 2023 and 2024, with 27 confirmed cVPV2 cases across 11 LGAs in 2023, and a further 31 cases spread across 17 LGAs in 2024.”
She warned that the continued detection of cVPV2 in stool and sewage samples indicates that many eligible children are still being missed during routine immunisation and supplementary immunisation activities (SIAs).
“Every missed child is a hiding place for the polio virus,” Sa’adatu cautioned.
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