Jigawa State Government says it has concluded plans to immunise more than 1.5 million children under the age of five during the November round of the polio immunisation exercise in the state.
The Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Shehu Sambo, disclosed this at a one-day media dialogue organised by the state with support from UNICEF in Dutse, the state capital.
Dr. Sambo, represented by the Assistant Health Educator, Malam Nura Ado, said a total of 1,516,244 children are expected to be immunised during the exercise.
He added that the November immunisation will run concurrently with the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Week, during which health services will also be provided to pregnant women.
Dr Sambo therefore, appealed for media support for the effective coverage of the exercise, in addition to clearing of misconceptions amongst caregivers.
In his remarks, The Chief of UNICEF Kano field office, Mr Mohammed Rahama Farah commended Jigawa state for recording a 58% reduction in cVPV2 cases in 2024.
He however, cautioned that polio remains a concern, with 72 cases reported in 14 states so far in 2025, thus the need to strengthen coverage.
Rahama Farah appealed to local government chairmen, to closely monitor the exercise to ensure success, appealing for mass media mobilise for parents.
He further appealed for collective responsibility on the part of all stakeholders, to end polio transmission in Jigawa state and other states across Nigeria.
Also speaking on behalf of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Hajiya Firdaus Aminu, commended the state for the mobilization.
The November polio immunization exercise will be conducted between November 27 to December 3, 2025.
The exercise along with the MNCH week, will be carried out by about 2, 015 team of adhoc staff across the 27 local government areas of the state.
Usman Mohammed Zaria
