Report by KHADIJAH ALIYU; Editing by BASIRAT MEMUDU
The Kano State Government-KNSG has set a target to vaccinate 3.9 million children under the age of five as part of its intensified efforts to eradicate polio through the June 2025 Outbreak Response (OBR) vaccination campaign.
Speaking during a media dialogue in Kano, Dr. Nasir Mahmoud, Director General of the Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board (KNSPHCMB), revealed that the campaign is part of a broader national strategy to end polio transmission and maintain Nigeria’s polio-free certification.
He acknowledged a recent resurgence of the type 2 poliovirus in the state, attributed to persistent challenges such as community resistance, inaccurate data reporting by some field staff, and insecurity in a few areas, which have resulted in children being missed during past immunization rounds.
“Ungogo Local Government Area recorded the highest number of unresolved non-compliance cases during the May 2025 campaign,”.
He commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his administration’s consistent support, noting that the timely release of counterpart funding has been a key driver in sustaining polio eradication efforts in the state.
“The state government has put modalities in place to meet its target of polio Eradication by 2025 and part of the efforts is the ranking of LGAs based on performance each month”.
In his remarks, the Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Kano, Mr. Rahma Rihood Mohammed Farah, revealed that four cases of polio were confirmed in Warawa, Bunkure, Nasarawa, and Kano Municipal LGAs in 2025.
Mr. Farah urged the state to declare a state of emergency on polio and routine immunization, stressing that the current situation requires urgent, coordinated action.
He also called for media support in countering misinformation and promoting public trust in vaccines.
“The June 2025 Outbreak Response (OBR) campaign coincides with African Vaccination Week”.
He emphasized that vaccines are safe, available, free, and effective in preventing polio and other life-threatening diseases.
Radio Nigeria reports that, the media Dialogue on June Polio vaccination campaign in Kano state was organized by the United Nations Childrens Fund-UNICEF, Kano state government and Partners.
