The Nigerian government has announced it will require at least $1 billion over the next five years to maintain momentum in its national immunisation efforts and prevent the reversal of hard-earned health gains.
This funding need was disclosed on Wednesday by Dr. Muyi Aina, Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), during a Multi-Stakeholders Technical Workshop held in Abuja on developing a sustainable immunisation financing model.
2024 Budget Lags Raise Alarm
Dr. Aina expressed concern over the significant gap between allocated and disbursed funds for immunisation in 2024. According to him, only 21% of the year’s vaccine budget has been released so far, a shortfall that could place Nigeria's immunisation drive at serious risk.
“We need $1 billion over the next five years to secure vaccines for our population,” Aina said. “But with less than a quarter of this year’s budget released, we are at risk of reversing hard-won gains.”
2024 Achievements Show Potential Amid Constraints
Despite financial limitations, the NPHCDA recorded notable achievements in 2024:
- Reached 3 million previously unvaccinated “zero-dose” children.
- Vaccinated 14 million girls against cervical cancer.
- Administered 91 million vaccine doses across the country.
- Expanded the national cold chain network to over 10,000 units.
These accomplishments, Aina noted, highlight what is possible with coordinated effort and adequate investment.
Immunisation Not Just a Federal Responsibility
Dr. Aina stressed that immunisation is a collective responsibility requiring strong coordination among federal, state, and local governments. He called for increased domestic resource mobilisation and urged subnational authorities and partners to share ownership of immunisation outcomes.
“The burden cannot rest solely on the federal government,” he said, adding that local participation is critical to building resilience and reaching every eligible child.
Shifting From Donor Dependence to Domestic Solutions
While Nigeria continues to receive significant support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the country is gradually preparing to take full ownership of its immunisation financing. As part of this transition, the government is exploring innovative funding mechanisms, including the possibility of targeted taxes and levies dedicated to public health.
Dr. Aina underscored the importance of financial sustainability in the face of dwindling donor resources. “Our goal is not just to immunise children today but to ensure that every child born tomorrow has the same access,” he said.
Stakeholders Demand Accountability and Innovation
Participants at the Abuja workshop, which included representatives from government agencies, development partners, and civil society, called for stronger accountability frameworks, multi-sectoral collaboration, and more flexible financing models to ensure the long-term viability of immunisation programmes.
The gathering marked a significant step in rallying collective action to secure one of Nigeria’s most cost-effective public health interventions — immunisation — and protect the health of future generations.