Connect with us

Economy

Nigeria Launches Largest Integrated Vaccination Campaign To Protect 106m Children

Published

on

Government Restates Commitment To Tackling Vaccine Hesitancy

Nigeria Launches Largest Integrated Vaccination Campaign To Protect 106m Children

Nigeria launches largest integrated vaccination campaign to protect 106m children. Nigeria is rolling out one of the largest integrated vaccination campaigns in its history, aiming to protect around 106 million children against measles, rubella, and poliomyelitis, according to the World Health Organisation.

In a statement on Monday,  the nationwide initiative will combine multiple vaccines and child health services in a single drive, ensuring efficient delivery to children across the country.
The campaign targets children aged 0–14 years for measles and rubella, and those aged 0–59 months for polio.

It will be implemented in two phases: Phase 1, launching today, covers 20 high-risk northern states and Oyo in the southwest; Phase 2 begins in January 2026 and will be expanded to the remaining southern states.

To reach every community, health workers will deliver services through fixed posts, temporary outreach points, and house-to-house “sweep teams,” ensuring that even children in the most remote and underserved areas are reached.

In addition to measles-rubella and polio vaccines, the campaign integrates routine immunization and other essential child health services, including treatment for neglected tropical diseases and seasonal malaria chemoprevention in high-risk areas.

This holistic approach supports Nigeria’s ‘Primary Health Care Under One Roof’ strategy and advances the Health Campaign Effectiveness agenda towards universal health coverage. The initiative responds to persistent outbreaks of circulating poliovirus type 2, as well as measles and rubella outbreaks, in Nigeria and across the Lake Chad Basin.

Nigeria is coordinating with Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, and Niger through a cross-border action plan to stop active outbreaks by the end of 2025 and eliminate remaining risks by the end of 2026.

“On behalf of the government, I want to express our deep respect and gratitude to Nigeria’s frontline health workers for their unwavering dedication.
I urge you to approach this campaign with the same resilience and commitment you have shown over the years. As a parent myself, I know that no parent would ever refuse something that protects their child. Vaccines are safe, and they save lives,” health minister Ali Pate said.

“This campaign builds on the success of two recent ‘In-between Round Activities’ in 11 northern states (August–September 2025), which reached over 3.1 million children with vaccines, provided nutrition supplements to 500,000 malnourished children, and delivered anti-malaria interventions to 150,000 children.

Government Restates Commitment To Tackling Vaccine Hesitancy

Nigeria Launches Largest Integrated Vaccination Campaign

“Nigeria’s integrated approach sets a strong example for the Region. By uniting efforts against measles, rubella, and polio, and by working hand-in-hand with communities and partners, we are moving closer to the day when no African child suffers or dies from these preventable diseases,” said Mohammed Janabi, WHO regional director for Africa.

In preparation for this nationwide rollout, Nigeria has also strengthened systems to ensure smooth implementation. Trainers have been mobilised across states, payment processes for frontline workers have been redesigned for greater efficiency, and campaign systems have been upgraded to integrate data more effectively and safeguard integrity.

Nigeria is also introducing a new combined measles-rubella vaccine to replace the measles-only vaccine.

The campaign is led by the government, with support from the WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Rotary International, the Gates Foundation, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, civil society organisations, and traditional and religious leaders.

Economy

Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition

Published

on

By

Lagos Assembly

Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition

Lagos assembly strongly seeks suspension of Makoko demolition. The Lagos state house of assembly has called for the suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and growing public concern over the exercise.

The call was announced on Tuesday by Noheem Adams, chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande auditorium.

Adams called on all state ministries to cease demolition work and promised compensation to the affected residents.
“On behalf of the speaker and all 40 members of the house, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” New Telegraph quoted Adams as saying.

He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, insisting that residents must be actively involved in the process.

“That the taskforce that was constituted, we want to see the list of the taskforce because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So we want to have the schedule of those task forces and the criteria for those that we are inviting,” Adams added.

Lagos Assembly

Lagos Assembly

“To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, as your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose properties have been demolished.”

Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc, said there is need for clear communication, adding that residents targeted for relocation or redevelopment must be informed of the government’s plans in advance.

Babatunde Olajide, special adviser to governor of Lagos on E-GIS and urban renewal, confirmed that $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 to transform Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.

He said enumeration of affected properties is underway and reiterated the administration’s commitment to handling the situation with a human face, prioritizing resident safety and fair compensation.

Yusuf Sagra, baale of Makoko, described the assembly’s decision as a “word of peace,” while Orioye Ogungbure, another leader of the community, praised the “democratic responsiveness” of the government.

Continue Reading

Crime

EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video

Published

on

By

EFCC Probes Man

EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video

EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,   on Tuesday, February 3, 2026  arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.

Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.

EFCC Probes Man

EFCC

Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.

The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

Dele Oyewale
Head,  Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026

Continue Reading

Economy

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

Published

on

By

National Bank Of Kenya

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

Access Bank gets new board chair Ifeyinwa Osime. Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29.

Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29, according to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Monday.

Ms Osime, a legal practitioner, joined Access Bank’s board in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director and had chaired its Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. This role made her contribute significantly to the bank’s corporate governance, leadership development, and sustainability initiatives.

Additionally, Ms Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Ltd. and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial matters and contributes to strategic leadership.

She is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors, Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group.

National Bank Of Kenya

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Osime is committed to mentoring youths and is actively involved in the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and social impact.
Speaking on her appointment, the group chairman, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, said, “Mrs Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.

“She has demonstrated strong commitment to the bank’s vision and mission, and I am confident that, under her leadership, the bank will continue to advance its strategic objectives of delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders in the pursuit of its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank.”

Mr Aig-lmoukhuede also congratulated Mr Usoro on the completion of his tenure and on his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the group, saying he remains a valued member of the Access family.

Continue Reading

Trending