Sokoto Targets 2026 Deadline to End Polio Transmission

The Sokoto State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating the circulation of Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus Type 2, setting a 2026 deadline to halt transmission in the state.

Governor Ahmed Aliyu made this known during a high-level meeting with the President of Global Development at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr Chris Elias, at the Government House in Sokoto.

Although Nigeria was declared free of wild poliovirus in 2020, outbreaks of vaccine-derived strains have continued in some parts of the country, largely due to low routine immunisation coverage, population mobility, and vaccine hesitancy. Sokoto remains one of the priority states under the National Polio Emergency Action Plan.

Aliyu said the state has intensified vaccination campaigns, strengthened disease surveillance, and expanded community mobilisation to close immunity gaps, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.

He disclosed that the government had released its 2024 Routine Immunisation Memorandum of Understanding counterpart fund and pledged consistent funding in subsequent years to ensure the sustainability of immunisation programmes.

The governor also highlighted investments in immunisation logistics, including the procurement of deep freezers, power generators, and motorcycles to improve cold-chain management and enable health workers to access remote communities across all local government areas.

Beyond polio eradication, Aliyu called for the extension of the Primary Health Care Memorandum of Understanding with development partners to consolidate gains in the health sector. He also sought additional support to address maternal and infant mortality.

According to him, the state has recruited 1,500 nurses and midwives in the past two years to tackle manpower shortages in public health facilities, particularly at the primary healthcare level. A mandatory two-year rural posting for health workers, including medical doctors, has also been introduced to improve access to healthcare services in underserved communities.

Dr Elias commended the Sokoto State Government for demonstrating strong political commitment to routine immunisation and primary healthcare development. He noted that sustained efforts in workforce expansion and community engagement are essential to maintaining Nigeria’s polio-free status and protecting children from preventable diseases.

The meeting underscored the need for continued collaboration among government, development partners, and local communities to strengthen healthcare delivery and achieve lasting public health outcomes. Officials from the Dangote Foundation, the Gates Foundation’s Nigeria office, and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency were also present