UNICEF mobilizes press to immunize 1.5 million youngsters in Jigawa against poliovirus

The United Nations Children’s Fund is urging parents and stakeholders in Jigawa State to take swift action to eradicate the remaining polio virus in the state, with a nationwide campaign just around the corner.

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This call to action was made during a one-day Mass Mobilisation Dialogue, organised by UNICEF Kano Field Office and the Jigawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, which brought together journalists and social media influencers on Monday.

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The meeting, held just four days before the nationwide polio immunisation campaign kicks off on Saturday, March 28, 2026, aimed to rally support for the upcoming exercise, according to PUNCH Online.

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UNICEF Jigawa State Team Leader, Mr Jibril Shu’aibu, stressed the vital role of the media in mobilising communities for immunisation, saying that accurate information about polio vaccination is crucial.

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He noted that the media plays a crucial part in disseminating information about polio vaccination, and appealed to them to support efforts to reach every child in Jigawa, stating, “The media plays a vital role in disseminating accurate information about polio vaccination, and we urge them to support our efforts in reaching every child in Jigawa,”.

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Mr Shu’aibu added that the dialogue meeting aimed to engage media practitioners and social media influencers in promoting polio vaccination and addressing misconceptions about the vaccine, explaining that, “The dialogue meeting aimed to engage media practitioners and social media influencers in promoting polio vaccination and addressing misconceptions about the vaccine,”.

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UNICEF has been providing support to Jigawa State in its efforts to eradicate polio, including deploying facilitators, volunteers, and community mobilisers to support the immunisation exercise, as highlighted by the team leader.

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He called on stakeholders to work together to ensure that every child in the state is protected against polio, and reaffirmed UNICEF's commitment to supporting Jigawa State and Nigeria in eradicating polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases.

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World Health Organisation (WHO) Cluster Consultant, Dr Sabiu Muhd, provided an update on the polio situation in Nigeria, noting that despite the country being declared polio-free in August 2018, efforts are ongoing to eliminate the remnants of the virus.

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Dr Muhd warned that, although significant progress has been made, complacency must be avoided, and every child must be vaccinated to prevent the resurgence of polio, saying, “We have made significant progress, but we must not be complacent.

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He explained that the polio immunisation exercise is part of a nationwide campaign targeting 42 million children across 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory, and that WHO remains committed to supporting the deployment of vaccination teams, health workers, and community mobilisers.

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According to Dr Muhd, the upcoming exercise requires the support of all stakeholders to ensure its success, and WHO is committed to supporting the deployment of vaccination teams, health workers, and community mobilisers.

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Earlier, the Health Education Officer of the JSPHCDA, Mr Sani Yusuf, explained that the immunisation exercise would involve house-to-house visits and fixed posts, targeting over 1.5 million children under the age of five.

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He urged parents to ensure their children are vaccinated, stressing that polio vaccines are safe and effective, and that the JSPHCDA is committed to reaching every child in Jigawa, saying, “Polio vaccines are safe and effective, and we are committed to reaching every child in Jigawa,”.

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Other speakers at the meeting emphasised the importance of community engagement and participation in polio eradication efforts, highlighting the need for collective action to achieve the goal of eradicating polio.

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Representatives of the media organisations present at the dialogue pledged to support the success of the polio immunisation exercise, vowing to disseminate accurate and timely information to the public, counter misinformation, and mobilise communities to ensure that every child in Jigawa State is vaccinated against poliovirus.