The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says it aims to reach an estimated 2.2 million unvaccinated children in Nigeria. 

The initiative, supported by the Republic of Korea, is expected to close the country’s immunisation gap.

The flag-off ceremony, held in Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State on Thursday, brought together top government officials, development partners, traditional leaders, and community members committed to improving child health outcomes.

Speaking at the event, UNICEF Nigeria country representative Wafaa Saeed described the initiative as more than a programme unveiling, emphasising that it represented a shared political and moral commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian child had access to life-saving vaccines.

According to Ms Saeed, Nigeria currently has one of the highest numbers of ‘zero-dose’ children globally, those who have never received a single routine vaccine, many of whom live in underserved communities, including remote, border, and conflict-affected areas.

According to her, the challenge is not due to a failure of science, as vaccines are proven to work, but rather persistent issues related to access, equity, and gaps in service delivery, which require strong leadership and sustained partnerships to address.

The UNICEF country representative commended the federal government, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, and state health authorities for prioritising zero-dose children through targeted interventions in high-burden communities.

Also speaking at the ceremony, the Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Lagos, Lee Sang Ho, highlighted his country’s commitment through the UNICEF–Korea global partnership under the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A).

He disclosed that out of a $20 million budget for the third phase of the global project, $5.6 million has been allocated to Nigeria for implementation between December 2025 and December 2026.

He added that it will focus on 40 LGAs across Lagos, Ogun, Niger, Bauchi, Adamawa states, and the Federal Capital Territory.

Similarly, the Lagos State commissioner for health, Akin Abayomi, represented by Temitope Alor, said the initiative came at a critical time, as rapid urbanisation had increasingly strained access to healthcare.

Mr Abayomi noted that zero-dose and under-immunised children remained a health challenge, especially within densely populated and underserved communities across the state, where access to routine immunisation services remained limited.

“This programme will deploy data-driven strategies, strengthen frontline health workers, and expand equitable access to immunisation, reflecting our commitment to inclusive growth where no child is left behind ever,” he added.

Stakeholders at the event stressed that the success of the initiative would depend on sustained collaboration, community trust, and the ability to build resilient health systems that continue to reach every child long after the current investment cycle ends. 

(NAN)