By Iyemah David
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance has described Nigeria’s integrated vaccination campaign targeting 100 million children as a bold and ambitious move.
Ms Jessica Crawford, Senior Country Manager for Nigeria at Gavi, said this on Monday in Abuja at the launch of the vaccination campaign by the Federal Government, supported by global partners.
Crawford described the launch as a landmark moment for Nigeria and global health.
“This campaign is bold, ambitious, and deeply rooted in country leadership. Reaching over 100 million children with life-saving vaccines is no small feat, and what makes it truly remarkable is the collaboration behind it, from government to communities, partners, and health workers,” she said.
She said that the campaign builds on years of investment in Nigeria’s immunisation infrastructure, including cold chain expansion, workforce training, and use of digital technologies to monitor coverage and ensure no child is left behind.
Ms Crawford said Gavi is backing the campaign with a $103 million investment, underlining its commitment to equitable access, innovation, and country-led delivery.
GAVI said that the funds would also strengthen logistics, cold chain systems, and digital tracking tools to enhance efficiency and accountability.
The campaign targets about 109 million children aged nine months to 14 years with life-saving vaccines.
The nationwide exercise will deliver vaccines against measles, rubella, human papillomavirus (HPV), polio, and other routine immunisations in a major step toward closing immunisation gaps and strengthening Nigeria’s public health system.
The initiative, led by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare with support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF, WHO, and civil society organisations, represents an unprecedented level of collaboration among stakeholders.
Since 2001, Gavi has invested about 42.6 billion in Nigeria, helping to increase coverage of the three-dose DTP vaccine from 27 per cent to 67 per cent.
The recent HPV vaccine rollout has already protected more than 15 million girls from cervical cancer, demonstrating the country’s capacity to deliver vaccines at scale.
Meanwhile, stakeholders said that the integrated campaign offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to boost confidence in routine immunisation, reduce disease outbreaks, and accelerate progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
