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Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), Taraba State University (TSU) branch, has threatened to embark on an indefinite strike if their long-standing demands are not addressed by the university management and the state government.

In a communiqué issued after an emergency congress meeting held on Thursday, 9th October 2025, the unions said they had joined the nationwide solidarity protest directed by their national leadership to compel the Federal Government to meet the pending demands of university non-teaching staff.

The statement, signed by Comrade Bitrus Joseph Ajibauka, Chairperson, and Nkyareuten Musa Ipeyen, JAC Secretary, lamented that despite several meetings and assurances, most of their grievances remain unresolved. They listed their demands to include the payment of outstanding salaries and allowances, unpaid full salaries for September and October 2022, withheld salary balances of June, November, and December 2022, Earned Administrative Allowances (EAA), the payment of the remaining 87.1% of accumulated sums, and settlement of pension and gratuity arrears.

‘We want the Taraba State Government to complete the process of the State-Defined Pension Scheme for the staff of Taraba State University, including benefits for deceased and retired staff, which should be promptly computed and paid to them and their families,’ the communiqué read in part.

The unions recalled that a Memorandum of Action (MoA) was signed on January 25, 2025, following the suspension of an earlier strike, but noted that the university management and the state government have yet to fulfil their commitments.

They warned that failure to meet their demands within the shortest possible time would leave them with no option but to resume the total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike earlier suspended in January 2025.

At the national level, Nigerian Tribune reports that the Joint National Action Committee of SSANU and NASU, led by Comrade Mohammed H. Ibrahim, National President of SSANU, and Prince Peters A. Adeyemi, JP, General Secretary of NASU, had directed all university branches to stage solidarity protests nationwide.

The unions are demanding that the Federal Government address the unjust disbursement of the N50 billion earned allowances, non-payment of two months’ outstanding salaries, non-remittance of third-party deductions for May and June 2022, and delay in the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/NASU/SSANU agreement, among other issues.

They also faulted the slow pace of intervention by the Joint Consultative Committee set up by the Federal Ministry of Education, which met twice between September 19 and October 6, 2025, without tangible progress.

Meanwhile, the TSU JAC urged Governor Agbu Kefas and the university authorities to act swiftly to avert an imminent shutdown of academic and administrative activities on campus.

‘Our congress-in-session unanimously resolved to appeal to the university management and the Taraba State Government to settle all outstanding issues to prevent the resumption of the suspended indefinite strike,’ the statement concluded.

The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) has cautioned the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) against actions that contravene Free Trade Zone (FTZ) regulations, reaffirming that strikes and lockouts are expressly prohibited within such zones for a period of ten years from commencement of operations.

The Authority’s Managing Director, Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi, stated this in Abuja following reports of escalating industrial tensions and ‘frequent and excessive external union infiltrations’ that have disrupted operations at the Dangote Refinery, the country’s largest private industrial complex.

In a statement signed by Dr. Martins Odeh, Head of Corporate Communications at NEPZA, the agency described the recent shutdown of critical oil and gas facilities by PENGASSAN as unlawful within the context of the Free Trade Zone framework.

PENGASSAN had last week directed its members to down tools over allegations that the Dangote Refinery dismissed about 800 workers who had joined the union. The company, however, denied the figure, maintaining that only a few workers were disengaged ‘for acts of sabotage’ as part of an ongoing organisational restructuring.

Dr. Ogunyemi expressed concern over the escalation of the dispute, noting that the refinery’s FTZ status meant that all labour-related grievances should have been channelled through the Authority.

‘Section 18(5) of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones (NEPZA) Act provides that ‘there shall be no strikes or lock-outs for a period of ten years following the commencement of operations within a Zone, and the Authority shall resolve any trade dispute arising within a Zone,” he said.

According to him, the provision imposes a 10-year prohibition on strikes and lockouts within Free Zones, while still allowing workers the right to form or join trade unions and engage in collective bargaining.

‘We are pleased that the conflict has been de-escalated. Dangote Refinery is a declared FTZ that continues to benefit from tax incentives and customs duty waivers to support the economy, and NEPZA regulates it.

The Free Trade Zone scheme in Nigeria is slightly over 30 years old, and we ought to be familiar with the scheme and the global rules that guide the operation of this world economic model, which aims to accelerate economic development and industrialisation,’ he said.

Dr. Ogunyemi emphasised that trade disputes originating within any Free Zone must be referred to NEPZA for resolution, clarifying that this restriction applies solely within the zones and not to the wider Nigerian economy.

He also drew attention to Section 24(1) of the NEPZA Act, which limits the application of external laws within Free Zones, noting that such laws are only operational to the extent that they do not conflict with NEPZA’s enabling Act.

‘Consequently, in cases of conflict between the Trade Unions Act (TUA) or Trade Disputes Act (TDA) and Section 18(5), the provisions of Section 18(5) take precedence as the more specific regulation governing Free Zones,’ he stated.

The NEPZA chief commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his prompt intervention in resolving the dispute, describing it as a demonstration of responsive governance and a commitment to safeguarding a critical national asset.

‘It is a sign of President BAT’s maturing democracy that this has been resolved quickly without deleterious effects on our economy,’ he said.

Dr. Ogunyemi reiterated that while industrial relations are part of the process of economic transformation, stakeholders must operate within the legal and administrative frameworks designed to protect investments and ensure the sustainability of industrial growth within the Free Zones.

The Kano State Government has concluded all necessary arrangements to organise a mass wedding ceremony for no fewer than 2,000 couples.

This initiative is part of efforts to promote social welfare, strengthen family values, and curb social vices across the state.

However, it will be recalled that ‘The state government has earmarked N2.5 billion in its 2025 fiscal budget to fund the mass wedding program, a move that underscores its commitment to enhancing the welfare of citizens and promoting moral discipline.’

Making this known, the Deputy Commander-General of the Hisba Board, Sheikh Mujahid Aminudeen, said arrangements were underway to ensure the smooth execution of the mass wedding.

It was stated that the mass wedding is designed to assist vulnerable women, including widows, divorcees, and spinsters, while also reducing the financial strain on low-income couples who wish to marry. Sheikh Aminudeen disclosed that ‘This program aims to address social challenges in our communities by promoting marriage among those who are ready but lack the financial means. It will also help reduce immoral behaviour and promote strong family values.’

He noted that as ‘part of the pre-wedding requirements, all intending couples are to register with the Hisba Board and undergo mandatory medical screening.’

According to him, ‘The tests will include checks for HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, drug use, and genotype compatibility to ensure the health and safety of all participants.’

He further disclosed that the Hisba Board would soon release guidelines and registration dates for interested participants once the full logistics and funding arrangements are finalised.

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has directed a proper investigation into an allegation by the Islamic rights organisation, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), that women are being harassed for wearing hijab in some hospitals in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

The governor stated that he received with great concern the report of the allegation raised by MURIC in a statement it released to the public.

Zulum noted that while the government is not aware of any official report or complaint regarding such incidents, his administration has taken the allegations with utmost seriousness.

In a directive issued on Thursday through his spokesperson, Dauda Iliya, Zulum ordered the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Professor Baba Mallam Gana, to undertake an immediate and thorough investigation to ascertain the veracity of the claims.

The statement noted that Zulum reiterated his administration’s commitment to protecting all citizens’ religious rights and dignity, particularly that of women. He stated that Borno State, being a predominantly Muslim society, holds hijab in high esteem, and any form of harassment against those who choose to wear it is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

According to him, ‘The welfare and rights of our citizens, especially our mothers, wives, and daughters, are paramount. We have zero-tolerance for any form of discrimination or harassment.’

‘While we have no prior record of such complaints, we are not taking these allegations lightly. This investigation will be swift and transparent. If any wrongdoing is found, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken immediately,’ Zulum assured.

The statement added that Zulum urged the public, particularly individuals who have experienced such treatment, to come forward and assist in the investigation with credible information to ensure a fair and just outcome.

TAJBank Limited, the fastest-growing non-interest bank in Nigeria, has again demonstrated its frontline visibility in Nigeria’s non-interest banking investment market, with its latest ?20 billion Mudarabah Sukuk bond offer recording a 185.15% oversubscription rate.

Data just released by the investment market authorities on the performance of the bond indicated that the debt instrument, with an annual profit rate of 20.5% per annum, recorded ?57,029,771 billion allotment, representing 185.15% oversubscription and highlighting the growing investor confidence in the bank.

Speaking on the performance of the bond, TAJBank’s Founder/Managing Director, Mr Hamid Joda, described the ?20 billion Mudarabah Sukuk bond subscription rate, which is the second tranche of the bank’s ?100 billion Sukuk bond programme, as impressive given the current micro and macroeconomic factors in the economy, which continue to rub off on the real income of Nigerians and other residents in the country.

He said: ‘Let me say that this outstanding performance of the Sukuk bond is a clear demonstration that the bank is enjoying growing investor confidence, and this can only be attributed to the quality of innovative products and services, and value addition TAJBank is delivering in the non-interest banking subsector of the banking system, especially when analysed within the context of the current realities in the debt instrument market today.

‘I want to thank the board, management, and staff of the bank, the regulatory authorities, and the investors for their contributions to the success of the bond issuance. I also assure them that TAJBank shall continue to protect their interest to ensure a win-win experience for all stakeholders as we sustain our drive to maintain the bank as the leading player in the nation’s non-interest subsector of the banking system.’

In his remarks, the bank’s Co-Founder/Executive Director, Mr Sherif Idi, enthused: ‘This investment feat is a clear demonstration of investors’ trust in TAJBank, and we will continue to do our best to surpass their expectations through world-class products and services. As always, our interest in the customers and investors is paramount.’

Analysts in the investment market believe that with the outstanding success of TAJBank’s latest ?20 billion Mudarabah Sukuk bond, more investors, businesses, and bank customers will be encouraged to do business with the bank to explore the opportunities in its innovative products and services and the good returns on their investments.

Since TAJBank debuted in the non-interest banking space in Nigeria about five years ago, it has, through investor-customer-centric products and service delivery, been promoting world-class ethical non-interest banking in line with the management’s vision to transform the bank into one of Nigeria’s top 20 banks by 2029.

In recognition of its commitment to best practices in non-interest banking globally, TAJBank has won several awards, including the Global Islamic Finance Award (GIFA) 2023 for its ‘Best Sukuk Deal of the Year 2023’. Before then, it had won BusinessDay newspaper’s ‘Islamic Bank of the Year’ awards for 2021, 2022, and 2023, and earlier clinched Leadership newspaper’s ‘Bank of the Year Award’ in 2020, amongst other laurels.

The Nigerian equities market sustained its bullish momentum on Thursday, as renewed investor interest in key industrial and banking stocks lifted the benchmark index.

The NGX All-Share Index, ASI, advanced by 0.33 percent to close at 146,204.33 points, pushing the year-to-date return to 42.05 percent, up from 41.58 percent in the previous session.

Similarly, market capitalization rose by N307.99 billion to settle at N92.80 trillion, reflecting sustained investor confidence in the market’s fundamentals and optimism ahead of third-quarter earnings releases.

The day’s positive outing was largely driven by gains in Dangote Cement, up 1.89 percent; GTCO, up 1.06 percent; Zenith Bank, up 0.29 percent; and WAPCO, up 0.70 percent, which outweighed losses in UBA, down 0.35 percent; Access Holdings, down 0.76 percent; and Fidelity Bank, down 2.38 percent.

Market sentiment remained positive, as 32 gainers outpaced 21 decliners, resulting in a market breadth of 1.5 times. Caverton gained 10 percent to lead the top gainers, followed by Eunisell, SunuAssur, IMG, and Mecure, while FTN Cocoa, which dipped 6.67 percent, led the losers alongside Tantalizer, Fidelity Bank, PZ, and VeritasKap.

Across sectors, performance was largely upbeat. The Industrial Goods Index rose 0.67 percent to lead the charge, followed by Insurance, which gained 0.64 percent; Consumer Goods, which appreciated 0.43 percent; and Banking, which increased 0.26 percent, while the Oil and Gas Index closed flat.

Trading activity, however, was mixed. The total volume of shares traded dropped 34 percent to 346.99 million units, even as the value of transactions surged 101.47 percent to N27.43 billion. The number of deals also declined slightly by 3.54 percent to 24,691, indicating that larger-value transactions dominated the session.

Fidelity Bank recorded the highest trading volume with 42.01 million units, while Dangote Cement, which gained 1.89 percent, led the value chart with trades worth N11 billion.

Lagos State chapter of African Democratic Congress (ADC) has submitted a petition to the State Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) against the Lagos State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Mustapha Adekunle popularly known as ‘Sego’, following threat he issued against anyone who decided to vote against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, come 2027 General Elections.

Former Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, made this known on his official Facebook page, saying that ADC had submitted its petition to the police against Mustapha Adekunle following the threat.

It would be recalled that the Department of State Services (DSS) recently grilled Sego for the uncouth utterances as he was captured on camera warning that anyone who refused to vote for the ruling APC or who says he has decided to vote against APC would learn a lesson.

Rhodes-Vivour, who displayed the petition on his official Facebook page, said that the coalition earlier on Wednesday submitted the petition to the police against Sego.

He said ADC made the move ‘for the public record,’ to ensure that in future the party would be accused of not pursuing ‘civilised recourse to their aggression and intimidation.’

‘Earlier today, the ADC submitted our petition to the police against Mustapha Adekunle of the NURTW.

‘We did this for the public record, so that in future it will not be said that we did not pursue civilised recourse to their aggression and intimidation.

‘For over twenty-four years, the President and his Lagos APC allies have controlled this state. After more than two decades in power, they have no credible record of achievements to run on. Hence, they resort to mobilising paid or coerced gangs to stifle opposition.

‘Violence is the last refuge of incompetence. This Thugocracy must not stand. We are the many and they are the few. In due course, Nigerians will demonstrate that we are not cowards,’ Rhodes-Vivour said.

Lagos State Ministry of Justice has rejected the findings of a second police report that exonerated real estate developer Alex Ochonogor and his lawyer, Ademola Owolabi, from allegations of forgery and willful property damage.

Instead, the Ministry directed the police to conduct a deeper, fresh investigation, citing new developments and the need to re-evaluate key evidence.

In a letter dated August 22, 2025, and signed by the Director of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Adeshola Adekunle-Bello, the Ministry formally requested the police to reopen the case. The letter, addressed to the Assistant Inspector General of Police at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annexe in Ikoyi, called for the interrogation of more witnesses, specifically naming Dr Obidigwe Eze and Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, who was the Chief Security Officer to late General Sanni Abacha.

It be recalled that Ochonogor, Owolabi, and another lawyer, Adebayo Akeju, were arraigned recently before a Lagos State High Court in Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) on charges relating to their alleged involvement in forging land documents and demolishing a property in the Lekki area.

All defendants pleaded not guilty and were subsequently granted bail by the trial judge, Justice Serifat Sonaike. The case has been adjourned to October 13, 2025.

The arraignment was initially based on a police report. However, Ochonogor and Owolabi petitioned the Commissioner of Police, alleging a compromised investigation, abuse of public office, shoddy investigation, and witch-hunting.

This led to a second investigation, culminating in a report signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Dahiru, which forwarded its findings to the Lagos State DPP.

This new report cleared the accused, finding that none of the documents were forged and that the relevant government agencies had authorised the demolition on the disputed land.

The second police report included several critical findings that seemingly contradicted the initial grounds for prosecution.

Key among them was the discovery that the demolition notice was confirmed by Engineer Peter Omotosho of Archbond Builders Ltd and Mr Bode Agoro of Lagos State as genuinely signed, and that the notice was also duly published by the Lagos State Government in the Punch Newspaper on September 11, 2009, and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Lands Bureau, Mr Gbenga B. Ashafa.

Crucially, the police confirmed that the complainant, Dr Obidigwe Eze’s, deed of assignment was not signed by Major Hamza Al-Mustapha and Mr Abdul Fatai Alao Thomas, suggesting the complainant’s document was forged.

Conversely, the police verified that the memorandum of loss declaration and affidavit of loss filed by Al-Mustapha were properly signed and not forged, and that the Lagos State Government had originally allocated the land (Block 133, Plot 10, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1) to Major Al-Mustapha in 1994.

When Gbenga Komolafe, chief executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), assumed the role of interim chairman of the newly launched African Petroleum Regulators Forum (AFRIPERF), many across the continent’s oil and gas sector hailed it as a watershed moment. His elevation was not just a personal milestone but a recognition of Nigeria’s growing influence in shaping the governance of Africa’s energy future. Yet, even as praise pours in, questions linger about capacity, politics, and the sustainability of the project.

The launch and charter-signing of AFRIPERF took place on September 18, 2025, during Africa Oil Week in Accra, Ghana. Sixteen African countries participated, and eight of them – including Nigeria, Ghana, Somalia, Gambia, Madagascar, Sudan, Guinea, and Togo – formally endorsed the AFRIPERF Charter. Seven others pledged to join after domestic consultations. Komolafe was unanimously selected as interim chairman, a role that effectively positions Nigeria at the forefront of continental oil and gas regulation.

The forum’s objective is ambitious but urgent: to harmonise petroleum laws, standards, and regulatory practices across Africa. Over the decades, differences in national legislation, fiscal regimes, and licensing procedures have discouraged cross-border investments and weakened collective bargaining power. AFRIPERF is conceived to bridge those divides by creating a platform for knowledge exchange, peer review, and regional cooperation.

According to its charter, AFRIPERF will operate through an Executive Committee of national regulators, a Technical Committee of industry experts, and a rotating Secretariat to coordinate activities among member states. The framework builds on Nigeria’s earlier leadership in regulatory reform under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021.

Komolafe, who first proposed the idea of a continental regulatory network in 2023, has long argued that Africa must ‘own its resources with efficiency and integrity’ rather than compete in isolation. The Abuja Declaration, introduced during Nigeria Oil and Gas Week in 2024, laid the philosophical foundation for AFRIPERF – emphasising transparency, environmental responsibility, and collaboration. The Accra meeting in 2025 marked the institutional birth of that vision.

The symbolism is significant. Nigeria remains one of Africa’s most experienced hydrocarbon producers, and its reform-driven regulatory commission has been widely seen as a model of post-PIA transformation. Komolafe’s emergence as the forum’s interim head therefore reinforces the view that Nigeria can export regulatory expertise in addition to crude oil.

Nigeria’s Reformist Reputation Meets Continental Expectations

Komolafe’s tenure at NUPRC offers clues about what to expect from his new continental assignment. Since assuming office, he has pushed reforms to digitise upstream licensing, streamline approvals, strengthen host community engagement, and curb oil theft through tighter metering systems. Under his leadership, the Commission has prioritised data transparency, community participation, and gas monetisation – themes that resonate with AFRIPERF’s founding principles.

But moving from national regulation to continental coordination is an entirely different challenge. Africa’s oil-producing nations operate under vastly different fiscal models, political pressures, and institutional capacities. Some have mature frameworks with digital monitoring systems; others still rely on paper records and manual audits. Aligning these disparities will test both Komolafe’s diplomatic skill and the credibility of the new forum.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Pan-African Regulatory Excellence Forum (PAREF), an industry think tank, commended Komolafe’s appointment as ‘a fitting recognition of Nigeria’s reform trajectory and the strength of his leadership.’ The statement, signed by its executive director, Dr Aisha Njoroge, described the AFRIPERF chairmanship as ‘an opportunity to turn the rhetoric of regional cooperation into measurable results’.

According to her, ‘The success of AFRIPERF will depend not on the size of its membership but on the quality of its deliverables. It must demonstrate practical value by harmonising gas measurement standards, emissions regulations, and digital compliance systems. Otherwise, it risks becoming another talk shop’.

Dr Njoroge urged the interim chair to prioritise inclusivity and transparency in early decisions, ensuring that smaller or less-resourced countries are not marginalised. ‘Regulatory convergence should not become regulatory domination,’ she added.

Beyond institutional design, several issues now dominate the agenda. The first is capacity disparity. Many African regulators lack technical manpower, laboratory infrastructure, and stable funding. Without a plan for shared resources or training exchanges, the forum could reinforce existing inequalities. The second is the question of authority. AFRIPERF’s recommendations are currently advisory, not binding, which may limit their impact unless member states voluntarily adopt harmonised frameworks.

Another pressing challenge is financing. Sustaining the forum will require predictable revenue – either through member dues, donor partnerships, or cost-sharing arrangements. Overreliance on external funding, especially from Western partners with decarbonisation agendas, could tilt priorities away from Africa’s own developmental needs.

There is also the matter of political independence. Regulators in several countries remain vulnerable to executive interference, particularly during licensing rounds and fiscal negotiations. Komolafe’s reputation for professionalism and non-partisanship at NUPRC will be critical in keeping AFRIPERF free from political capture.

The Road Ahead for Africa’s Energy Governance

Meanwhile, energy transition pressures loom large. Global investment in fossil fuels is tightening amid climate-related restrictions, yet Africa still relies on hydrocarbons for more than 70 per cent of government revenue in producing countries. AFRIPERF will need to navigate this paradox – promoting efficiency and environmental stewardship while defending the continent’s right to exploit its resources responsibly.

For Komolafe, the ultimate test will be turning vision into execution. The first set of deliverables expected from AFRIPERF include harmonised reporting templates for production data, a regional petroleum data repository, and shared capacity-building programmes for regulatory staff. Progress on these fronts will determine whether the forum becomes a genuine platform for transformation or fades into the background of African bureaucracy.

In his remarks at the Accra signing ceremony, Komolafe was clear about his priorities. ‘This is not just about creating another institution,’ he said. ‘It is about aligning Africa’s regulatory systems with the demands of a new global energy order – one that rewards transparency, innovation, and sustainability.’ He pledged that under his leadership, the forum would set measurable goals and enforce accountability through peer review.

Nigeria’s oil reforms have already strengthened its domestic regulatory identity. If Komolafe can translate that momentum into continental cooperation, AFRIPERF could become a defining institution for Africa’s late-oil era – a forum that speaks with one voice in global energy diplomacy while setting common rules for its own internal market.

But ambition alone will not suffice. The forum’s success depends on political will across capitals, not just the competence of its chairman. Africa has seen many grand alliances fade for lack of sustained follow-through. As one senior industry observer put it, ‘Komolafe’s leadership gives AFRIPERF credibility; now it must earn legitimacy.’

The months ahead will reveal whether Nigeria’s stewardship can turn this continental experiment into a lasting framework for energy governance. For now, the mood within the sector is one of cautious optimism – and a growing sense that, at least this time, Africa’s regulators might finally be speaking the same language.

Dan is an oil and gas expert writing from Port Harcourt.

Wife of the Oyo State Governor, Engineer (Mrs) Tamunominini Makinde, has launched an integrated measles-rubella campaign aimed at benefiting over 3.6 million children aged nine months to 14 years throughout all 33 local government areas in Oyo State.

Engineer Makinde said parents and guardians should maximize the opportunity to ensure their children and wards are protected against vaccine-preventable diseases, including HPV, which causes cervical cancer in women.

Makinde, represented by the Chairman of the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board (OYOPHCB), Honourable Abiodun Awoleye, at the launch at Ibadan North East local government council on Thursday, said that vaccination is an investment, and parents should ensure their children are protected from infections, including cervical cancer. She declared that prevention is better than cure, vaccines are free, and parents should turn out en masse to get their children vaccinated.

According to her, ‘Despite the decline in donor funding, the government is still providing these vaccines. Therefore, people should take full advantage of this opportunity. Vaccination is an investment that parents must ensure their children do not miss.

Oyo State is one of the 20 states included in the first phase of the integrated measles-rubella campaign due to the governor’s commitment to the health sector. We urge parents and guardians to bring their children within the specified age range to be vaccinated and take advantage of the campaign. The vaccination is free.’

Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Oyo Health Ministry, Dr. Akintunde Ayinde, stated that measles and rubella remain serious vaccine-preventable diseases that continue to threaten the lives of children, especially in communities with low immunization coverage.

She stated that the Oyo State government had prioritised immunisation and child survival programmes as part of a broader effort to achieve universal health coverage, even as the state continues to strengthen vaccine logistics, cold chain systems, data management, and community mobilization-all critical to ensuring high vaccine coverage and zero wastage.

According to her, ‘Our goal in Oyo State is to ensure that no child is left behind and that every eligible child aged 9 to 59 months receives the measles-rubella vaccine during this campaign. The 2025 integrated MR campaign is designed to strengthen our routine immunization system while delivering other essential child health interventions.’

UNICEF Lagos Field Office Health Specialist, Dr Ijeoma Agbo, said the 2025 integrated campaign for measles-rubella, oral polio vaccine, HPV, and neglected tropical diseases is a strong statement that the health of children is central to Oyo State’s development agenda.

Dr Agbo declared that the integrated approach to tackling these conditions involves reaching more families, saving more lives, and using every interaction with the community to deliver health, hope, and protection.

‘As we roll out the measles-rubella vaccine and other immunizations, we call on all parents, caregivers, teachers, and community leaders to ensure that every eligible child receives their dose. This vaccine serves as a shield against deadly diseases and a promise of a healthier life for our sons and daughters,’ she added.

World Health Organization representative, Dr Olufunmilola Kolude, assured that logistics have been provided to reach hard-to-access areas, ensuring that no child will be left behind.

Dr Kolude urged parents and ward development council representatives to report any children, schools, or communities missed by the vaccinators to ensure that no child is excluded from the benefits of these health interventions.