Two new circumstances of polio have been confirmed in Hadejia and Suletankarkar Native Authorities Areas of Jigawa State, marking a major setback for Nigeria, practically a decade after the nation was declared polio-free.
The announcement was made throughout a media dialogue on polio and routine immunization organized by the United Nations Youngsters’s Fund (UNICEF) in Dutse, the state capital.
Talking on behalf of UNICEF Kano Subject Workplace Chief, Mr. Rahama Rihood Farah, the company’s Well being Supervisor, Dr. Serekeberehan Seyoum Deres, expressed deep concern over the resurgence of the extremely contagious illness. He warned that polio might result in lifelong paralysis and even dying in youngsters if not shortly addressed.
“In 2025 alone, 18 circumstances of polio have been recorded throughout 9 states and 18 native authorities areas in Nigeria, together with Hadejia and Suletankarkar LGAs of Jigawa. That is unacceptable,” Dr. Deres said. “Polio is aware of no boundaries and spreads shortly. An outbreak in a single area places youngsters in all places in danger.”
Dr. Deres emphasised that over 3 billion individuals have been vaccinated towards polio globally since 1988, saving an estimated 154 million lives within the final 50 years. Nonetheless, he burdened that low routine immunization protection continues to threaten progress in international locations like Nigeria.
UNICEF has known as on the Jigawa State Authorities to declare a State of Emergency on Polio and Routine Immunization, launch counterpart funding, and guarantee all 27 native authorities chairmen make comparable commitments.
The media, he added, should play a central position in disseminating correct data to fight myths and misinformation about vaccines. He mentioned Nigeria can remove vaccine-preventable ailments if routine immunization is strengthened throughout all wards, with purposeful Major Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in place.
Coinciding with World Immunization Week, Farah urged the Nigerian authorities to put money into the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to assist eradicate cervical most cancers alongside polio and measles.
In response to the outbreak, the Govt Secretary of Jigawa State Major Healthcare Growth Company (PHCDA), Dr. Sambo, represented by Dr. Hassan Shu’aibu Kwalam, introduced the launch of a statewide immunization marketing campaign beginning Wednesday, April 24, 2025, and lasting for six days.
The train goals to immunize 1.9 million youngsters, with over 2 million doses of vaccines obtained for the marketing campaign. Greater than 50,000 ad-hoc employees have been recruited to function throughout 3,060 vaccination groups, masking 287 political wards in all 27 LGAs of the state.
To spice up neighborhood participation, a high-level sensitization assembly was held with conventional and non secular leaders, chaired by the Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Muhammad Hamim Nuhu, together with the Emirs of Hadejia and Gumel.
Dr. Shehu Ibrahim, Programme Supervisor of the State Emergency Routine Immunisation Coordination Centre (SERICC), mentioned the earlier marketing campaign in February 2025 missed seven youngsters in Garki, Kaugama, and Maigatari LGAs as a consequence of non-compliance, usually linked to political mistrust and misinformation.
He warned that such attitudes pose a danger not solely to unvaccinated youngsters but additionally to the broader neighborhood, stressing the necessity for political neutrality in well being campaigns.
“The success of this marketing campaign will depend upon neighborhood cooperation, correct data, and sustained dedication from all ranges of presidency,” Dr. Shehu said.
UNICEF and state authorities proceed to induce mother and father, caregivers, and neighborhood leaders to make sure all eligible youngsters are vaccinated, to stop additional outbreaks and transfer nearer to a polio-free Nigeria.