The Federal Government has called for stronger collaboration with traditional institutions to eradicate polio, improve routine immunisation and strengthen primary healthcare delivery across the country.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, made the call on Tuesday in Abuja during a quarterly review meeting of the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee on Primary Health Care Delivery.
The meeting was organized by the ministry of health and social welfare in collaboration with the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA).
Pate said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remained committed to strengthening primary healthcare as the foundation for universal health coverage.
‘At the centre of these reforms is the effort to strengthen primary healthcare as the foundation for universal health coverage,’ he said.
He noted that the government was expanding health insurance coverage, improving healthcare infrastructure and increasing access to medicines, vaccines and diagnostics.
‘The NPHCDA has revitalised thousands of primary healthcare centres across the country. Even this week, additional medical equipment is being distributed because we believe that infrastructure must be available for people to access quality healthcare services,’ he added.
The minister also stressed the importance of community participation and the role of traditional rulers in addressing vaccine hesitancy and promoting health-seeking behaviour.
‘In many rural communities across Nigeria, traditional and religious leaders remain the most respected and trusted voices. Your advocacy has helped dispel harmful myths, improve vaccine acceptance and encourage families to seek timely healthcare services,’ he said.
Speaking at the meeting, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Muyi Aina, disclosed that Nigeria recorded 30 cases of circulating variant poliovirus in 2026.
‘As of epidemiological week 19 of 2026, we have recorded 30 total cases – 27 cases of cVPV2 and three cases of cVPV3,’ Aina said.
He explained that the cases were linked to gaps identified during earlier vaccination campaigns, prompting reforms within the National Emergency Operations Centre.
According to him, the agency had since intensified interventions in high-risk states, particularly Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara.
‘We are very confident that the March and April campaigns were significantly better – probably among the best we have conducted in recent times in terms of quality, data management and reach,’ he said.
Aina added that Katsina, Kaduna and Yobe states had recorded zero polio cases this year, while Borno recorded an 86 per cent reduction.
He further revealed that over 65,000 cases of non-compliance were recorded during recent immunisation campaigns across 15 states, with a 71 per cent resolution rate.
On primary healthcare revitalisation, Aina said 4,161 primary healthcare centres had so far been upgraded nationwide, while over 19,000 skilled birth attendants had been recruited.
He also disclosed that more than half a million women had been enrolled under the Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative.
According to him, 102 million children across the country had received the first dose of the measles-rubella vaccine, while 16.7 million adolescent girls had received the Human Papillomavirus vaccine.
Aina said the government had also increased funding to primary healthcare facilities through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund.
‘Between 2023 and now, N70.5 billion has been disbursed to states under this initiative. In 2025 alone, N32.1 billion has gone directly to these facilities,’ he said.
In his welcome remarks, the Chairman of the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee on Primary Health Care Delivery and Emir of Argungu, HRM Alhaji Sama’ila Mera, said traditional institutions remained committed to supporting healthcare interventions across communities.
‘Primary healthcare remains the foundation of an effective and equitable healthcare system. It is the first point of contact for millions of people, especially women, children and vulnerable populations in our rural communities,’ he said.
Mera noted that traditional leaders would continue to mobilise communities, promote immunisation uptake and support maternal and child health interventions.
Also speaking, the World Health Organisation Country Representative, Dr Pavel Ursu, said Nigeria had made measurable progress in strengthening primary healthcare and maternal health services despite ongoing challenges.
‘While there was a 36 per cent decline in cVPV2 cases, there was also the emergence of cVPV3,’ Ursu said.
He identified low routine immunisation coverage, insecurity, surveillance gaps and weak accountability systems as some of the drivers of ongoing transmission, particularly in the North-West and North-East.
The UNICEF Country Representative, Waafaa Saeed Abdelatef, also commended traditional rulers for their role in supporting immunisation campaigns and improving community trust.
‘When our royal fathers speak, communities listen. When you lead, communities follow. This unique authority is indispensable as we confront the evolving challenge of circulating variant poliovirus,’ she said.
She noted that although Nigeria remained free of wild poliovirus, more efforts were needed to eliminate vaccine-derived poliovirus transmission, especially in high-burden states in the North-West.
The General Secretary of Rotary International, John Hewko, warned that political activities ahead of future elections must not distract from efforts to sustain polio eradication gains.
‘Nigeria’s success in interrupting the transmission of the wild poliovirus was truly a historic victory, but that achievement remains fragile as we enter a political season that carries the real risk of distraction,’ he said.
Hewko urged traditional rulers to ensure immunisation remained a priority, stressing that ‘polio does not respect political calendars’ and that one missed child could allow the virus to resurface.
In his remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, said traditional institutions would continue to support government efforts aimed at improving health outcomes and eradicating polio.
‘Our attention must remain focused on reaching missed children, addressing noncompliance, supporting community mobilisation and ensuring that every eligible child is reached during each campaign,’ the Sultan said.
He also called for intensified advocacy on routine immunisation, maternal healthcare and nutrition, adding that traditional leaders would continue using their platforms to combat misinformation and promote healthy behaviours across communities.