Nigeria’s commitment to eradicating polio has been a protracted and challenging one, filled with significant milestones and persistent setbacks. Thus far, the nation has spent $500 million to combat the disease yet the continued spread of vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) underscores the intricate gaps that persist. During a recent meeting with the Polio Oversight Board in Abuja, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, shed light on the operational hurdles impeding the eradication efforts. Among the key issues cited were false vaccination records, inadequate oversight, and poor planning, particularly in high-risk areas where access and Insecurity make immunization efforts even more difficult.
A number of noteworthy projects have shaped Nigeria’s efforts to eradicate the disease. The implementation of the National Polio Eradication Emergency Plan in 2012 was instrumental in increasing vaccination rates nationwide. Supporting this initiative was the Presidential Task Force on Polio Eradication, which rallied political backing and resources at all levels. Regular immunization and surveillance systems were also strengthened, thanks in large part to collaborations with international organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
cVDPV poses threats to Nigeria’s polio-free status.
Community-based monitoring techniques and the creative application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) made it easier to monitor and contain epidemics. The effectiveness of these coordinated efforts resulted in the proclamation of Nigeria as free of wild poliovirus in 2020, marking a significant victory that established the nation as a global leader in the fight against it. However, the emergence of cVDPV has threatened to reverse this progress. Unlike wild poliovirus, cVDPV arises in under-immunized populations where the weakened virus from oral Vaccines mutates and spreads.
This resurgence highlights severe gaps in regular surveillance and immunization coverage, especially in isolated and conflict-affected areas. In response, Vice President Kashim Shettima is leading the Nigerian government’s Polio Task Force, which is established under the National Economic Council. It is anticipated that the task group will inspire state governors to assume more responsibility for eradication initiatives in their areas. The government’s renewed approach also integrates the eradication into the larger primary healthcare agenda, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
State governors’ leadership crucial to polio eradication.
To guarantee a consistent supply of vaccines, this strategy calls for modernizing medical facilities, educating 120,000 frontline staff, and increasing domestic vaccine production. Prof. Pate emphasized that state governors have full responsibility for spearheading polio eradication initiatives in their areas, acknowledging that success depends on political will and state-level leadership. The minister also noted the necessity of stringent accountability measures to keep Nigeria from undoing the strides it has made in the fight against it.
The effectiveness of these initiatives will mostly depend on how well state governments implement vaccination campaigns and ensure that funds are not mishandled. Even with these commendable efforts, there are still major obstacles. Campaigns for vaccinations are still being hampered by Misinformation and vaccine hesitancy, which are frequently spread on social media. Professor Pate urged Social Media platforms to aggressively counteract misinformation that feeds popular skepticism about vaccines. Furthermore, claims of inflated vaccination rates and funds diversion in certain areas indicate that the successful implementation of polio programs has been impeded by inadequate accountability measures.
Related Article: 70 Cases of Polio, 46LGAs, 14 Northern States
Eradicating cVDPV by 2026, as planned, will necessitate more than just financial resources and political determination. It demands a shift towards community ownership, in which health professionals and local leaders oversee immunization campaigns in a transparent and accountable manner. Strengthening routine immunisation systems, improving outbreak response capacities, and addressing misinformation are critical components of this strategy. The success of Nigeria’s polio eradication campaign will ultimately hinge on sustained political will, community engagement, and the collective determination to protect every child from the scourge of polio.