Lagos First Lady & UNICEF Chief Rally Parents for Polio Vaccination

 By: Manoah Kikekon 

UNICEF Urges More Education, Investment to Combat Vaccine Hesitancy 

Immunisation given to a child

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called for increased public health education and sustained investments in immunisation to protect children from deadly diseases. 

Celine Lafoucriere, Chief of UNICEF’s South-West Nigeria Field Office, made the appeal during the launch of the National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDs) in Alausa, Ikeja, marking World Immunisation Week & Polio Week 2025.  

With the theme “Humanly Possible: Saving Lives Through Immunisation,” Lafoucriere stressed that despite global progress, an estimated two million Nigerian children remain unvaccinated. She highlighted that vaccines have saved over 150 million lives worldwide since 1974, yet misinformation and hesitancy persist.  

“The challenge is no longer awareness but belief,” she said. “Vaccines prevent over three million deaths yearly—six lives every minute for the past 50 years. The oral polio vaccine alone has averted 24 million paralysis cases globally.”

Lafoucriere noted that Nigeria’s current fight against polio is more complex than past victories, including the country’s polio-free certification. She urged collective action to eliminate **‘zero-dose’ children—those who have never received any vaccine.  

“Reducing polio was easier than the threat we face now,” she said. “We must walk with pride, speak with one voice, and ensure no child is left unprotected.”

Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, wife of Lagos State Governor, commended UNICEF’s efforts and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to eradicating polio and strengthening routine immunisation.  

“Our mantra is ‘Leave No Child Behind’—this is not just a slogan but our guiding principle under Governor Sanwo-Olu’s T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda,” she declared. “Immunisation is not a privilege; it’s every child’s right.”

Sanwo-Olu announced a four-day NIPDs campaign starting May 3, targeting children aged 0-59 months with free oral polio vaccines. Teams will visit homes, schools, markets, and religious centres to ensure full coverage.  

She urged parents, guardians, and community leaders to support the initiative, emphasising the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness. Her office, alongside the Lagos Ministry of Health, will continue advocacy and grassroots mobilisation for immunisation.  

“There’s no greater investment than our children’s health—they are our future leaders,” she said.  

With polio still a threat, Lagos State and UNICEF are calling for united action to safeguard Nigeria’s children. Will you help make zero-dose cases a thing of the past?

(NAN)