FIC Report (Lagos State) – The Lagos State Government in partnership with UNICEF has launched the “Walk for Polio” campaign, which will engage over 700 high-level stakeholders to kick off the National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDs) to ensure that every child is immunised.
The walk was organized and led by the wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, with other key stakeholders to commemorate the 2025 World Immunisation Week and Polio Week with the theme, “Humanly Possible: Saving Lives through Immunisation,” .
World Immunisation Week is celebrated in the last week of April and it aims at promoting the life-saving power of immunization to protect people of all ages against vaccine-preventable diseases.
Sanwo-Olu stated that the theme was to further highlight the importance of the vaccine to prevent diseases and eliminate polio. While emphasising the importance of immunization as a fundamental right for every child, she said no child in Lagos state will be left out to be vulnerable to this preventable disease. Immunization is not a privilege, it is a right.”
She disclosed that it underscored the alignment of the campaign with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ Agenda, which prioritizes health and human development.
From 3rd to 6th of May, 2025, Lagos will implement the NIPDs in partnership with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and development partners such as United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). During the exercise, children aged 0 to 59 months will receive free oral polio vaccines in a door-to-door campaign covering homes, schools, markets, and public spaces.
The Governor’s wife issued strong appeal to parents, caregivers, religious and traditional leaders, civil society, and youth groups to actively participate. She warned against the dangers of vaccine misinformation and urged communities to promote accurate information and build trust that the Vaccines are safe, effective and lifesaving.
Speaking at the WalkForPolio, is the UNICEF’s Chief of Lagos Field Office, Celine Lafoucriere. She appreciated the tremendous progress made and emphasized on the urgent work that remains.
Lafoucriere shared that since 1974, vaccines have saved over 150 million lives. She said misinformation and lack of access remain major barriers.
She reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting the state government in reaching underserved children, training health workers, and building community trust.
Also present is Dr. Chinenye Okafor, WHO’s State Coordinator in Lagos. She said, NIPDs campaign in Lagos State is coinciding with the ongoing African Vaccination Week and World Immunization Week. Okafor, emphasised the significant progress made in immunisation coverage while highlighting areas that still require urgent attention.
She commended both the national and state governments for their contributions toward combating vaccine-preventable diseases, especially polio. She acknowledged the role of health workers, the Ministry of Health, and primary health care providers in maintaining a resilient healthcare system. According to her, Lagos has not recorded any circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) since 2023, a milestone that underscores the effectiveness of the state’s disease surveillance and response mechanisms.
UNICEF also echoed WHO’s sentiments, acknowledging the strides made in immunization while pointing out areas still needing attention.
With 376 WHO volunteers deployed across all wards in Lagos, the organization reiterated its commitment to supporting state efforts and integrating vaccines into essential health services. The flag-off event marks a renewed commitment to building a polio-free and vaccine-preventable disease-free society in Nigeria.
Signed
ORIBHABOR ANDREA.A.
(PI&PRO)
30th April,2025
