Insecurity threatens Sokoto polio vaccination drive targeting one million children

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Sokoto State Government are targeting more than one million children for polio vaccination, but insecurity and restricted access to some communities remain major obstacles to reaching every eligible child.

UNICEF Social Policy Specialist, Issa Ibrahim, disclosed this on Saturday during an advocacy rally organised to mark the 2026 World Polio Day, saying community participation was critical to overcoming security challenges and ensuring widespread vaccination coverage.

Ibrahim said health workers sometimes struggled to access certain communities because of insecurity, making collaboration with traditional leaders, local health workers and other stakeholders essential to the campaign.

“In some communities, it is very difficult for people coming from outside to access them. We can only work with community leaders, media practitioners, health workers and other stakeholders who understand their immediate environment,” he said.

The rally began at the Specialist Hospital in Sokoto, passed through Marina and Gobirawa, and returned to the hospital, with participants urging parents and caregivers to ensure their children receive the free polio vaccine.

Ibrahim said the participation of government officials, community leaders, health workers and media practitioners reflected a collective commitment to protecting children from the disease.

“Our expectation is to ensure that no child is left behind and that every child gets access to the vaccine. By the end of this year, we are hoping Nigeria will be a polio-free country,” he said.

He added that the Sokoto State Government had established an executive committee to oversee vaccination activities and strengthen the implementation of the campaign.

Ibrahim urged parents and caregivers to cooperate with vaccination teams, stressing that immunisation was essential to protecting children from the debilitating effects of polio.

Also speaking, the Director of Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilisation at the Sokoto State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Umar Gada, said sustained government leadership, adequate funding and community engagement were necessary to eradicate the disease.

Gada said activities marking World Polio Day included a youth football match on October 21, a friendly match involving government officials and development partners on October 22, a para-soccer tournament featuring polio survivors, and Saturday’s advocacy rally.

He said the activities were designed to increase public awareness of polio prevention and encourage collective action towards eradication.

“Without strong government leadership, commitment and funding, no partner can succeed,” Gada said, commending Governor Ahmed Aliyu for supporting the campaign.

UNICEF Child Protection Specialist and Staff Association Chair for the Sokoto Field Office, Pius Wamanwa, said the campaign’s theme, “One Focus, One Day, Ending Polio,” highlighted the need for coordinated action by government institutions, development partners and communities.

Similarly, the State Health Educator at the Sokoto State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Sabiu Gandhi, said the government had introduced measures to strengthen vaccination monitoring, address resistance to immunisation and improve coverage across communities.

The campaign forms part of ongoing efforts to eliminate polio by expanding access to vaccines, strengthening community participation and addressing barriers preventing children from receiving immunisation.