The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Niger State Primary Health Care Development Agency, has launched a statewide campaign to vaccinate children against polio, urging parents and guardians to present their children for immunisation.

The campaign, which is set to commence on Sunday, March 29, 2026, targets over 1.3 million children across the 25 local government areas of Niger State.

Speaking during a media engagement in Minna ahead of the exercise, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammad, Social and Behaviour Change Specialist at UNICEF’s Kaduna Field Office, said the initiative is aimed at curbing the spread of the polio virus amid rising cases in neighbouring states.

He expressed concern over recent outbreaks in Kebbi, Kwara, Bauchi, Zamfara, and Sokoto states, noting that some of these states share borders with Niger, thereby increasing the risk of transmission.

Dr. Mohammad stressed that children under the age of five are particularly vulnerable, describing polio as a highly infectious disease that can lead to permanent disability or death.

He further noted that Niger State’s proximity to affected areas heightens its vulnerability, especially among unvaccinated children.

The UNICEF official emphasised that multiple doses of the vaccine are necessary for children to develop full immunity, warning that incomplete vaccination could sustain the spread of the virus.

He therefore urged parents and caregivers to take advantage of the campaign period to ensure their children are vaccinated and to support efforts toward polio eradication.

Stakeholders also highlighted the critical role of the media, as well as traditional and community leaders, in raising awareness, encouraging participation, and combating misinformation about the vaccination exercise across communities in the state.