First Lady Flags Off Africa’s Largest Immunisation Drive, Targets 16 Million Nigerian Children

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has inaugurated Africa’s largest immunisation campaign, a nationwide effort targeting over 16 million children for life-saving vaccinations against preventable diseases.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Abuja, Mrs Tinubu emphasized the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting every Nigerian child from diseases such as polio, measles, and diphtheria. She described immunisation as a moral duty and a crucial investment in the country’s future.

The campaign, launched in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), UNICEF, and the World Health Organization (WHO), will span all 36 states and the FCT.

Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Pate, reaffirmed the administration’s plan to strengthen routine immunisation systems and ensure vaccine access in rural communities. He noted that the renewed initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Programme.

UNICEF’s Country Representative, Cristian Munduate, commended Nigeria’s leadership, noting that the scale of the campaign reflects growing confidence in the nation’s health infrastructure and public trust in vaccination.

The immunisation drive is expected to reach its 16-million-child target before the end of the year, marking a major step toward eradicating vaccine-preventable diseases in Nigeria.