The programme was officially flagged off in Badagry, a border community symbolic of the hard-to-reach areas the initiative is designed to serve. It targets so-called “zero-dose children”—those who have missed out entirely on routine vaccines—and seeks to strengthen immunisation systems in six priority locations: Lagos State, Ogun State, the Federal Capital Territory, Bauchi State, Niger State, and Adamawa State.
According to a statement by Sussan Akila, Communication and Advocacy Specialist, Nigeria is home to an estimated 2.2 million unvaccinated children—the highest figure in Africa and among the largest globally. Many of these children reside in urban slums, border settlements, and remote communities where access to healthcare services remains limited.
The Korea-UNICEF collaboration is designed to directly address these gaps by working through Nigeria’s national and state health systems. It focuses on improving vaccine delivery, rebuilding trust within communities, and ensuring that no child is excluded from essential health services.
Key components of the initiative include intensified community mobilisation, systematic tracking of children who miss vaccinations, and the integration of immunisation with other basic health services. These measures are intended to locate and reach vulnerable children regardless of their location or socio-economic circumstances.
Speaking on the significance of the programme, Wafaa Saeed described the launch as a reaffirmation of the equal value of every child’s life. She noted that aligning resources, partnerships, and accountability mechanisms is critical to translating commitments into measurable health outcomes.
Also commenting, Lee Sang Ho highlighted the growing risks to global health security, particularly in post-pandemic contexts affecting high-burden African countries. He described Korea’s support as both a practical intervention and a gesture of goodwill aimed at reversing the trend of zero-dose and under-immunised children while strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The initiative operates under the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A) framework and is currently in its third phase, running from December 2025 to December 2026. Building on earlier investments that began in 2023, the programme is expected to enhance health infrastructure in underserved communities, expand vaccine access, and contribute to broader global health security goals.
At the state level, Akin Abayomi underscored the importance of aligning economic growth with social development, particularly in healthcare. He noted that the initiative reflects the vision of Lagos State’s THEMES+ Agenda, with a focus on health, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion.
He added that the state government is committed to ensuring equitable access to immunisation and primary healthcare services for all children, regardless of their background or location.
The choice of Badagry for the flag-off highlights the programme’s focus on border and underserved communities, where mobility, geography, and limited infrastructure often hinder routine immunisation efforts. The initiative also aligns with Nigeria’s broader National Immunisation Strategy Agenda 2030, which aims to achieve universal vaccine coverage.
With this renewed collaboration, stakeholders say the goal is clear: to ensure every child is counted within Nigeria’s health system and has access to life-saving vaccines, reinforcing a collective commitment that no child will be left behind.