The Kano State Administration has reasserted its dedication to tackling the issue of children who have received no vaccinations, while recognizing the work of the Zero Dose Learning Hub initiative for its role in enhancing vaccination programs within the state.
The Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo, provided this assurance during a visit by members of the ZDLH Kano Community of Practice on Immunisation Budget Accountability at his home in Kano.
A statement issued on Thursday by his representative, Ibrahim Shuaibu, the deputy governor, indicated that the state is committed to enhancing regular vaccination programs and ensuring that any delays in funding for immunization are quickly resolved.
"I greatly appreciate this engagement with the Zero Dose Learning Hub (ZDLH) team as it points out areas where we need to enhance our work and place greater focus," Gwarzo stated.
"Our objective and goals are straightforward: by December 31st, 2025, we aim to confidently state that Kano State is free from polio. To reach this, we need to take all necessary actions to address the issue of children who have received no vaccinations," he added.
The deputy governor, who also leads the Kano State Task Force on Vaccination, praised donors and collaborators for their assistance and emphasized the need for ongoing cooperation with community organizations and development allies.
The team was headed by Hon. Muhammad Usman, Chairman of the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) Advisory Board, who updated the deputy governor on ZDLH initiatives in Kano and other chosen states.
Additionally, AHBN ZDLH Kano State Coordinator, Dr. Musa Muhammad Bello, emphasized the group's work in advocacy and ensuring accountability, such as pushing for prompt budget disbursements and supporting Decentralised Immunisation Monitoring (DIM) in Kumbotso and Sumaila LGAs.
He urged for a more robust governmental dedication by ensuring the prompt availability of matching funds to speed up the decrease in zero-dose children within Kano.
The delegation also introduced the ZDLH 2024 Kano State Immunization Budget Transparency Annual Report, created by AHBN and the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), with assistance from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
As per their statement, the scorecard showcases accomplishments, areas needing improvement, and suggestions, offering proof for the government, civil society, and collaborators to monitor advancement and enhance immunization results.
As per UNICEF, Nigeria is home to one of the biggest groups of "zero-dose children," meaning kids who have not received any standard vaccinations.
In 2021, Nigeria reported 2.2 million children who had not received any vaccinations, ranking second worldwide behind India. Most of these children reside in northern states such as Kano, Sokoto, Katsina, and Zamfara, where factors like instability, economic hardship, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure hinder vaccine access.
In August 2025, PUNCH Onlinereportedthat the United Nations Children's Fund has indicated that more than 2.1 million Nigerian children have not received a single vaccination, positioning the nation as the country with the largest number of unvaccinated children globally.
The ZDLH, backed by Gavi, AHBN, and AFENET, aims to enhance immunization financial responsibility, boost community involvement, and offer data-based approaches to lower the number of children not receiving any vaccines.
Kano stands out as a key state in the project because of its significant number of children and its crucial position in Nigeria's vaccination efforts.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also called on countries to implement sustainable funding methods and guarantee the prompt allocation of vaccination funds to enhance immunization rates across the nation.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
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