The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has expressed concern over Nigeria’s widening immunisation gap, warning that millions of unvaccinated children are exposed to serious health risks.
The warning was issued during the launch of a targeted routine immunisation programme in Badagry, Lagos State, aimed at reaching children who have not received any dose of routine vaccines.
The initiative is a collaborative effort involving UNICEF, the government of the Republic of Korea, and the Nigerian government. It is part of broader efforts to close persistent vaccine coverage gaps across the country.
Speaking at the event, UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative Wafaa Saeed described the situation as urgent, calling for immediate and coordinated national action.
She revealed that Nigeria currently has about 2.2 million “zero-dose” children meaning children who have never received a single vaccination making it the highest figure in Africa and among the highest globally.
“These are not just statistics. They are real children living in vulnerable communities, including urban slums, border areas, conflict zones, and remote settlements where access to basic health services is limited,” Saeed said.
She explained that the issue reflects deep-rooted inequalities in access to healthcare rather than a failure of vaccines themselves.
“The problem is not science. Vaccines are effective. The challenge lies in equity, access, and the ability of services to reach every child,” she added.
Saeed further described the Badagry programme as a major step forward in strengthening child health systems, noting that it represents both a political and moral commitment to ensure no child is left behind.
“This initiative reflects a shared commitment to guarantee that every Nigerian child, regardless of location or background, has access to life-saving vaccines,” she said.