The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa States are home to an alarming 556,750 “zero-dose” for children who have not received a single vaccine for polio, meningitis, or other preventable diseases.
UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office in Kano, Mr. Rahama Rihood Mohammed, made this announcement during the launch of the #NoMoreZeroDose Immunization Song at Tahir Guest Palace in Kano, marking World Polio Day on Friday.
Breaking down the figures, Mohammed reported that Kano accounts for 280,281 zero-dose children, Katsina has 171,491, and Jigawa has 104,978. He expressed deep concern over the vulnerability of these children, stating, that “These are children who should be vaccinated but have never received even one dose of vaccines like Penta 3.”
Nationally, Nigeria has an estimated two million zero-dose children, who remain at high risk for diseases like polio. Mohammed emphasised the importance of increasing public awareness and vaccination coverage, using the new #NoMoreZeroDose song to drive the message home.
He called for stronger healthcare systems, routine immunisation, and broader access to essential healthcare services. Mohammed urged the government, community and religious leaders, healthcare workers, influencers, and media to play active roles in ensuring that no child is left behind in immunisation efforts.
“The #NoMoreZeroDose song represents UNICEF’s and its partners’ commitment to boosting immunisation coverage in West and Central Africa, a region that has experienced repeated outbreaks of preventable diseases,” he said.
The song, launched in Nigeria and across West and Central Africa, features prominent artists including Cobhams, WAJE, Timi Dakolo, Spyro, Kate Henshaw, and Ali Nuhu, to raise awareness about the importance of vaccination.
Mohammed also praised recent efforts by the governments of Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa to improve immunisation rates but stressed that more work is needed. He highlighted the need for better funding and stronger local government engagement in polio eradication efforts.
Dignitaries at the event included Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, Kano State Commissioner of Health and Vice Chairman of the State Immunisation Task Force; Dr. Nasir Muhammad Mahmoud, Director-General of the Kano State Health Care Management Board; Comrade Abubakar Adamu Rano, Managing Director of Kano Radio Corporation; and several traditional, religious, including media influencers.
