The Sokoto State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating the circulation of Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus Type 2 (VDPV2), which remains a major public health challenge in parts of northern Nigeria.
The government said it has intensified vaccination campaigns, disease surveillance and community mobilisation efforts to interrupt transmission of the virus in the state by 2026.
Governor Ahmed Aliyu made this known on Tuesday during a high-level meeting with the President, Global Development of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr Chris Elias, held at the Government House in Sokoto.
Although Nigeria was declared wild polio-free in 2020, outbreaks of vaccine-derived poliovirus have continued in some states, largely due to low routine immunisation coverage, population movement and vaccine hesitancy.
Sokoto is among the priority states under the National Polio Emergency Action Plan.
Aliyu said his administration has adopted fresh strategies aimed at closing existing immunity gaps and protecting vulnerable children, especially those in hard-to-reach communities.
“Our goal is very clear: to interrupt the transmission of Poliovirus Type 2 and end its circulation in Sokoto State. We are strengthening our vaccination campaigns, improving surveillance and engaging communities more effectively to ensure no child is left behind,” the governor said.
He added that the state government has released its 2024 Routine Immunisation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) counterpart fund, assuring that subsequent payments would be made promptly to ensure the sustainability of the programme.
“We understand that political commitment and timely funding are critical. That is why we have honoured our counterpart funding obligations and will continue to do so to achieve the desired health outcomes,” Aliyu said.
To improve immunisation logistics, the governor disclosed that the state has procured deep freezers, power generators and motorcycles to strengthen cold-chain management and support health workers in reaching remote settlements.
“These investments are meant to ensure hitch-free immunisation exercises and effective service delivery across all local government areas,” he noted.
Beyond polio eradication, Aliyu appealed for the extension of the Primary Health Care MoU with development partners to consolidate progress recorded so far. He also called for additional support to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in the state.
He further revealed that the government recruited 1,500 nurses and midwives within the last two years to address manpower shortages in public health facilities, particularly at the primary healthcare level.
The governor also announced the introduction of a mandatory two-year rural posting for health workers, including doctors, to ensure that rural communities have better access to quality healthcare.
“We have also introduced a mandatory two-year rural posting for health workers, including medical doctors, to ensure equitable access to quality healthcare services for our rural populations,” Aliyu stated.
In his remarks, Dr Chris Elias commended the Sokoto State Government for showing strong political will in tackling immunisation and primary healthcare challenges.
“Sokoto’s commitment to routine immunisation, health workforce expansion and community engagement is critical to sustaining Nigeria’s polio-free status and protecting children from preventable diseases,” Elias said.
The meeting stressed the need for sustained collaboration among government, development partners and local communities to achieve lasting improvements in healthcare delivery.
Officials from the Dangote Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Nigeria office, and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency were also present at the meeting.
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