As the world edges closer to eliminating vaccine-preventable diseases, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has stepped forward as a key contributor, launching the first round of the 2025 National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) to protect over 1.1 million children under five from the threat of polio.
In a globally interdependent health landscape, the FCT’s campaign is a significant move toward preserving the world’s progress in eradicating polio—a disease that lingers in regions where immunization coverage is low. Through strategic outreach across its six Area Councils, FCT is demonstrating how subnational leadership can shape global health security.
At the campaign launch in Abuja, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary for the Health Services and Environment Secretariat, emphasized the urgent need to close immunization gaps. Represented by Dr. Babagana Adam, she said, “We are not just protecting children in the FCT. We are contributing to the global fight against polio by ensuring no child is left unvaccinated.”
More than 1,100 house-to-house teams and 154 fixed posts are deployed across the territory in homes, schools, markets, churches, and mosques—meeting families where they are. The campaign combines vaccination with trust-building and communication, a method increasingly recognized as a global best practice.
Dr. Molonbo Walter, World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Nigeria, called immunization “a fundamental right of every child” and praised the FCT’s prompt response to recent health threats, including diphtheria. “The FCT’s efforts exemplify the kind of local action that fuels global health gains,” he said.
Engr. Ibrahim Abdullahi of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) noted that collaboration between government, traditional leaders, health professionals, and international partners is what transforms a campaign into a movement. “This is not just a public health initiative—it’s a shared promise to our children and to the world,” he added.
Traditional leaders are also reinforcing this promise. Dr. Idris Musa, Sarki of Jiwa Chiefdom, urged all community heads to actively support and monitor the campaign’s progress. “Polio is a cruel disease—we must never see its return. Let’s be vigilant, let’s be united,” he declared.
Africa’s Local Actions, Global Impact
The FCT’s initiative reinforces Africa’s evolving role in global health—not only as a region affected by infectious diseases but as an active driver of innovation and resilience. It aligns with global goals like Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing.
From May 4 to 10, the campaign calls on parents and caregivers across the FCT to ensure every eligible child receives the oral polio vaccine. With each drop, the FCT is not only defending its future but strengthening a collective global shield—one child at a time.