By Sadiq Sani Malami
The Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN), has called for sustaining immunization progress through strong health financing and improved data transparency in Borno State.
In a press statement issued to highlight key findings from the latest Immunization Budget Accountability Scorecard covering the 2025 fiscal year, AHBN Coordinator, Dr Aminu Magashi Garba, said the organisation is working closely with its Communities of Practice (CoP) across Bauchi, Borno, Kano, and Sokoto States.
He said the scorecard which was build on years of evidence-based tracking and citizen-led accountability, examines government commitments to immunization financing, budget allocation, releases, and service delivery outcomes.
“While the Zero Dose Learning Hub (ZDLH) initiative supported by GAVI with technical partnership from AFENET has formally concluded in December 2025, AHBN and the CoP remain committed to sustaining accountability efforts that promote equitable access to life-saving vaccines, particularly for zero-dose children in 2026 and beyond,” he said.
Dr Magashi added that Borno State achieved a major milestone in 2025, with the health sector budget reaching the 15% Abuja Declaration benchmark for the first time.
“This achievement, alongside Penta 1 and Penta 3 coverage rates above 75% and an allocation of ₦234 million to immunization services, reflects positive momentum in health financing and immunization performance within the state,” he added.
The AHBN coordinator, however, stated that the scorecard also identifies persistent gaps in data transparency and access, which limit effective tracking of health sector expenditures.
“Restricted access to data makes it challenging to comprehensively assess budget performance, including the implementation of Direct Facility Funding (DFF) introduced in 2025.
“Strengthening data openness will be essential to enabling informed advocacy and sustaining accountability in the health sector,” Dr Magashi added.
