By Muhammad Amaan
The Convener/Chief Executive Officer of the African Health Budget Network (AHBN), Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba, was in Bauchi State on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, to engage media executives, executive directors of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and other key health sector stakeholders in a review of the Zero Dose Learning Hub (ZDLH) implementation in the state.
The parley provided a platform for participants to assess progress recorded in 2025, identify implementation challenges, and jointly proffer solutions ahead of the 2026 programme year.
Dr Magashi commended the Bauchi State Government, the ZDLH Community of Practice (CoP) members, and other partners for their commitment, noting that collaborative efforts continue to influence positive results in immunization financing and zero–dose reduction.
He also encouraged academia–based CoP members to conduct operational and policy research to generate evidence that can strengthen decision–making, advocacy, and service delivery.
Dr Magashi stressed that stronger collaboration among the media, civil society, and relevant stakeholders through the Community of Practice would further strengthen immunisation outcomes.
He also challenged academic members of the CoP to undertake operational and other forms of research to generate evidence for action and support evidence-based advocacy.
“Collaboration between the media and stakeholders is key to driving impact. I urge academic institutions to generate evidence that will support advocacy, decision-making, and improved service delivery,” he said.
Earlier, the Co-Chairman of AHBN Board, Hon. Usman Mohammed, emphasized the central role of the legislature in securing budget increases, timely release of funds, and ensuring accountability.
He highlighted the AHBN-supported Immunization Financing Scorecard (2023–2025) as a tool that should be sustained for evidence-based advocacy.
“The Bauchi State legislature has done well by facilitating the allocation and 100% release of ₦872 million immunization funds in 2025, placing the state ahead in zero-dose reduction.
However, we must do more as many primary health facilities still need improvement,” Hon. Usman added.
He noted that accountability tools such as the AHBN-supported Immunisation Financing Scorecard, developed for 2023, 2024, and 2025, must be sustained, institutionalised, and utilised as evidence for action to achieve sustainable immunisation financing.
In his remarks, the Bauchi State Focal Person of the African Health Budget Network, Dr Hassan Shuaibu Musa, appreciated participants and highlighted that the ZDLH intervention had contributed significantly to the timely release of immunisation funds in the state.
He attributed these gains to the strong support of the Bauchi State Government, particularly the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Board under the leadership of Dr Rilwanu Mohammed.
Bauchi State, he noted, has continued to receive national recognition for the early release of 100 per cent of its budgeted immunisation funds, a feat credited to sustained advocacy efforts by the ZDLH Community of Practice.
