The Nigerian Governors’ Spouses Forum (NGSF), in partnership with the Centre for Well-being and Integrated Nutrition Solutions (C-WINS), is set for a nationwide campaign to introduce the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine.

The initiative, which aims to eradicate preventable childhood diseases, marks another milestone in the Forum’s commitment to advancing public health, particularly for women and children.

NGSF, comprising spouses of state governors across Nigeria, has a long-standing record of championing causes that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In a statement yesterday, the project team lead at C-WINS, Dr Nihinlola Mabogunje, emphasised the critical role the MR vaccine plays in safeguarding children and preventing future outbreaks.

“This vaccine is not just a health intervention; it is an investment in the next generation,” she stated.  The governors’ wives’ involvement in the successful rollout of the Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which prevents cervical cancer, is a testament to their influence and effectiveness in health advocacy. The campaign for the MR vaccine builds upon this legacy”.

On December 5, 2024, this landmark partnership was formalised at the NGSF Secretariat in Abuja.

The agreement signalled a strategic alignment to boost Nigeria’s MR vaccine coverage to 95 per cent, a goal seen as both urgent and necessary.

According to public health experts, measles and rubella are highly contagious diseases with severe consequences. Measles can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis (brain swelling), and even death, while rubella, if contracted during pregnancy, can cause miscarriage or congenital birth defects.