Stakeholders in Nigeria’s health sector have stated that an investment of N1 trillion in Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) nationwide would effectively address the country’s vaccine shortfall.

Chika Offor, Chief Executive Officer of the Vaccine Network for Disease Control (VNDC), made this known at a press conference in Abuja . The event, organised by VNDC and its partners, was part of activities marking the 2025 World Health Day (WHD), themed ‘Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures.’

Offor praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the allocation of N231.7 billion in the 2025 budget for immunisation, malaria vaccination, and vaccine tracking — describing it as a milestone achievement for Nigeria.

She recalled that as of December 2023, the outlook for vaccine financing in Nigeria was uncertain.
“However,” she noted, “by December 2024, there was a breakthrough — the Federal Government released the outstanding funds and allocated 25% of the 2024 vaccine budget.”

Offor further highlighted that the 2025 allocation signals significant progress toward achieving universal vaccine coverage in the country.

The former Senator representing Kwara State and current Chairman of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Ibrahim Oloriegbe, also  underscored the urgent need for sustained immunisation funding to safeguard Nigeria’s youth, whom he described as the nation’s most valuable asset.

“It is very clear that vaccines save lives, and if we do not ensure proper distribution, we will face serious health implications. It is imperative to increase health financing in Nigeria,” Oloriegbe stated.

Health sector stakeholders have also emphasized that investing N1 trillion in Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) across the country is critical to closing the vaccine supply gap and strengthening immunisation services nationwide.