The 2025 Oral Polio Vaccination (OPV) Campaign was officially launched in Sokoto State, Nigeria, marking a renewed commitment to eradicating polio and safeguarding children’s health. The campaign, unveiled by the First Lady of Sokoto State, Hajia Fatima Aliyu (represented by the Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs, Hajia Hadiza Shagari), aims to immunize all eligible children aged 0-59 months across the state’s 244 wards. This initiative underscores the vital role of preventative healthcare in securing a healthier future for the children of Sokoto. Characterized as both a “life-saving mission” and a “public health movement,” the campaign emphasizes the critical importance of the oral polio vaccine as a safe, simple, and effective tool in the fight against this debilitating disease. Each dose administered represents progress towards a polio-free future not only for Sokoto but also for Nigeria as a whole.
The launch event, held at the District Head’s Palace in Shuni, brought together key stakeholders, including government officials, healthcare professionals, development partners, and community leaders, all united in their commitment to eliminating polio. The First Lady commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for his unwavering support of the health sector and acknowledged the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Health, the State and National Primary Health Care Development Agencies, and international partners. This collective effort highlights the significance of collaboration across different sectors to achieve public health goals. The focus on partnership underscores the understanding that eradicating polio requires a multi-faceted approach involving not just medical interventions, but also community engagement and political will.
Hon. Faruku, the State Commissioner for Health, emphasized the persistent presence of polio within certain communities and the complexities involved in its eradication. The challenges are not solely medical but also deeply intertwined with social, cultural, and behavioral factors. This underscores the importance of addressing the root causes of vaccine hesitancy and non-compliance within specific communities. He stressed the urgency of the situation, reminding attendees that a single infected child can potentially transmit the virus to hundreds of others. His stark warning served as a call to action, urging families to actively participate in the vaccination campaign and prevent the needless suffering caused by polio. The Commissioner’s message highlighted the critical role of community ownership in the success of the campaign.
The Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Muhammed Bello, emphasized the collective responsibility to remove Sokoko from the national polio “blacklist.” This highlights the state’s current status as an area with persistent polio transmission, underscoring the need for intensified efforts. Representatives from international development partners, including the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF, reiterated their ongoing support and urged comprehensive stakeholder involvement, particularly emphasizing the roles of the media, parents, and community leaders, to ensure no child is missed. Their presence demonstrated the global nature of the fight against polio and the importance of international collaboration in achieving eradication.
Michael Juma, Chief of Field Office at UNICEF Sokoto, highlighted the crucial role of the media in tracking and reporting on the campaign’s progress. Effective media coverage is essential to ensure transparency, accountability, and broad public awareness. By publicizing successes and addressing challenges, the media can contribute significantly to increasing vaccine uptake and community participation. This focus on media engagement underscores the importance of communication and information dissemination in achieving public health goals. Hajia Larai Tambuwa, Executive Secretary of the Sokoto State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, reminded the public that Sokoto is not yet polio-free, reinforcing the need for continued vigilance and full community participation to defeat the disease.
The campaign will focus particularly on Wamakko, Sokoto South, and Sokoto North, Local Government Areas identified as having the highest rates of non-compliance in previous vaccination rounds. These areas will be targeted with intensified outreach efforts to address the specific reasons for vaccine hesitancy and improve coverage. This targeted approach acknowledges the variability in vaccine uptake across different regions and the need for tailored interventions. By concentrating resources and efforts in areas with historically low compliance, the campaign aims to leave no child behind and achieve comprehensive immunization. As the 2025 OPV campaign progresses, the collective responsibility of families, community leaders, and health workers will be crucial in realizing the shared vision: a polio-free Sokoto State. Their combined efforts will determine the success of this critical public health initiative and the future health and well-being of Sokoto’s children.
