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Nigeria faces a critical public health challenge as over two million children remain unvaccinated against preventable diseases, with insecurity and systemic barriers hindering immunization efforts, particularly in the country’s northern regions. Kano State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, sounded the alarm during a training workshop in Kano City designed to equip health officials with tools to address the crisis.

The workshop, part of the Nigeria Healthcare Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), brought together federal and state health leaders, including representatives from the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII). Dr. Labaran stressed that the session aimed to strengthen data-driven strategies for healthcare budgeting and service delivery. “This is about crafting realistic, actionable plans to protect vulnerable communities,” he said.

Of grave concern, he noted, is the disproportionate impact on northern Nigeria, where an estimated 60–70% of unvaccinated children reside. Northwestern states, grappling with prolonged insecurity and displacement, bear the brunt. Kano, a hub for families fleeing violence, may now host a significant portion of these children, exacerbating public health risks. “Insecurity disrupts vaccine access, displaces communities, and strains infrastructure,” Dr. Labaran explained, emphasizing the ripple effects of conflict on healthcare.

Despite challenges, the commissioner highlighted incremental progress. Over the past two years, Kano State has prioritized cross-sector collaboration to expand immunization outreach, though gaps persist. The training workshop focused on improving monitoring and evaluation systems to better allocate resources and track outcomes. Participants were urged to apply the skills learned to “transform data into life-saving decisions,” he added.

The initiative underscores Nigeria’s broader struggle to achieve universal vaccine coverage amid competing priorities. With preventable illnesses like measles and polio posing persistent threats, health advocates warn that delayed action could deepen regional health disparities. The SWAp program reflects a coordinated, albeit uphill, effort to align federal and state agendas—a critical step, experts say, in mitigating risks for millions of children.