By Ibrahim Muhammad
The Jigawa State Government says it is targeting 1,516,244 children under the age of five in the forthcoming polio vaccination campaign scheduled to hold across all 27 local government areas of the state.
The Executive Secretary of the Primary Healthcare Development Agency Dr. Sambo made the disclosure during a media dialogue, sensitisation and mobilisation session with social and youth influencers held in Dutse.
The event was organised by the Jigawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency in collaboration with the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.
According to the Agency, the exercise will run from 29th November to 2nd December 2025, covering 287 political wards statewide.
Speaking at the forum, Rahama Rihood M. Farah, Chief of UNICEF Field Office, Kano, underscored the vital role of the media in promoting child health and supporting the eradication of polio.
He explained that Nigeria aims to vaccinate 42 million children across 21 priority states in two phases beginning on 29th November through 9th December 2025.
Farah noted that while Nigeria had targeted a zero-case status by the end of 2025, vigilance remains critical.
“In 2025 alone, the country has already recorded 72 confirmed cVPV2 cases from 49 LGAs in 14 states. This virus respects no boundaries, so we must intensify our efforts to halt its circulation,” he said.
He added that achieving the national target requires at least 95% vaccination coverage during every campaign round, stressing the importance of strengthening Routine Immunization (RI).
“Every LGA must ensure that at least 80% of children aged 0–11 months receive all three doses of the Penta vaccine,” Farah stated.
