UNICEF Raises Alarm Over Nigeria's 2.2 Million Unvaccinated Children
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has issued a dire warning regarding Nigeria's escalating immunisation gap, emphasising that millions of unvaccinated children represent "real lives at risk." This alert was delivered during the launch of a new targeted routine immunisation programme in Badagry, Lagos State, specifically designed to reach children who have never received a single vaccine dose. The initiative is a collaborative effort between UNICEF, the Republic of Korea, and the Nigerian government, forming part of a broader strategy to address persistent deficiencies in vaccine coverage nationwide.
Scale of the Crisis and Immediate Action Required
At the event, UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Wafaa Saeed, underscored the urgency of the situation, calling for immediate national intervention. Saeed revealed that Nigeria currently harbours approximately 2.2 million 'zero-dose' children—the highest figure in Africa and among the highest globally. She stressed that these are not mere numbers but real children, often residing in fragile urban settlements, border communities, conflict-affected zones, and hard-to-reach areas lacking access to essential health services.
Saeed explained that the persistence of zero-dose children is a manifestation of deep-seated inequalities rather than a failure of medical science. "This burden is not a failure of science. Vaccines work. What we are seeing are challenges of equity, access, and service reach," she stated. She described the Badagry intervention as a significant milestone, reflecting a shared commitment to child survival and development at both national and international levels.
Partnership Details and Funding Allocation
The Consul General of the Republic of Korea, Lee Sang Ho, highlighted that Nigeria's high number of unvaccinated children poses a threat transcending national borders. He disclosed that Nigeria is receiving roughly $5.6 million under the current phase of the Korea–UNICEF partnership. This funding will target 40 local government areas across six states: Lagos, Ogun, Bauchi, Niger, Adamawa, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The investment aims to reduce zero-dose and under-immunised children while strengthening the healthcare infrastructure.
Local Perspectives and Implementation Strategies
Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, noted the timeliness of the intervention, given the pressures of rapid urbanisation on healthcare access. He pointed out that one of the most critical public health challenges is the persistence of zero-dose and under-immunised children, particularly in densely populated and underserved communities. The programme will employ data-driven strategies to locate missed children, equip frontline health workers, and expand equitable access to immunisation services.
Chairman of Badagry Local Council, Babatunde Hunpe, described the intervention as crucial for communities facing severe geographical and logistical barriers. "Our communities stretch across difficult terrains, from coastal settlements to remote border areas. This programme is vital to ensure every child receives life-saving vaccines," Hunpe said. He urged mothers, community leaders, traditional rulers, and health workers to actively support the campaign.
Long-Term Goals and Sustainability
Saeed emphasised that reaching zero-dose children is not merely a health intervention but a national development priority. "Healthy children underpin human capital, productivity, and social cohesion," she added. The long-term success of the programme will depend on sustainability and institutional capacity, with the true measure of success being systems that continue to identify, reach, and protect every child beyond this investment. She concluded by reaffirming UNICEF's commitment: "We raise this flag to reaffirm a collective promise—that every child in Nigeria belongs in the national health system, and no child will be left behind."
The programme will be implemented through Nigeria's existing health structures in the target states and FCT, prioritising community mobilisation, active tracking of missed children, and expansion of routine immunisation services in underserved areas, with a specific focus on reaching children who have never been vaccinated.
