The spouses of Nigerian state governors, united under the Nigerian Governors’ Spouses Forum (NGSF), have stepped into the spotlight to lead a nationwide grassroots advocacy for the uptake of the Measles-Rubella vaccine, in a renewed effort to eliminate vaccine-preventable childhood diseases across the country.
The campaign, which was officially launched on December 5, 2024, at the NGSF Secretariat in Abuja, is being implemented in collaboration with the Centre for Well-being and Integrated Nutrition Solutions (C-WINS). The initiative seeks to raise Nigeria’s measles-rubella immunisation coverage to at least 95 percent, using community mobilisation, stakeholder engagement, and strategic communication to confront vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.
“This vaccine is not merely a medical intervention; it is an investment in Nigeria’s future,” said Dr. Nihinlola Mabogunje, Team Lead for C-WINS. She described the campaign as a vital aspect of Nigeria’s broader public health goals, particularly as it relates to safeguarding the lives of women and children.
As part of the advocacy rollout, First Ladies across the 36 states of the federation are deploying their influence and platforms to deepen community trust and encourage parents to present their children for immunisation. According to Dr. Mabogunje, the current campaign builds on the successful groundwork laid by the First Ladies during the rollout of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine, which targeted adolescent girls across Nigeria.
Chairperson of the NGSF and First Lady of Kwara State, Professor Olufolake Abdulrazaq, reiterated the collective resolve of the forum to ensure equitable access to health interventions. “We are committed to ensuring that no Nigerian child is left vulnerable to diseases that are preventable. As mothers and leaders, we understand the power of community trust, and we are using our voice to protect the next generation,” she said.
Earlier in the year, on February 22, a stakeholders’ meeting held in Ilorin saw the convergence of experts and officials to chart pathways for effective state-level implementation. The session, led by Dr. Mahmud Zubairu, Head of Mission for C-WINS, included representatives from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the National Orientation Agency (NOA). Discussions led to key resolutions such as strengthening partnerships with traditional and religious leaders, designing state-specific advocacy models, and securing counterpart funding commitments from state governments.
Since then, First Ladies have taken the lead in launching the immunisation campaign in several states including Ebonyi, Enugu, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Gombe, Abia, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Ogun, Ekiti, Zamfara, Jigawa, and Cross River. In states like Akwa Ibom and Benue, where the First Ladies were unavailable, designated state officials conducted the flag-off activities.
In Ebonyi State, the campaign was launched on February 17 by the First Lady, Mrs. Mary Uzoamaka Nwifuru, who passionately appealed to parents and caregivers. “This vaccine is safe and essential. I urge every parent to make sure their children are vaccinated before the nationwide date of October 25,” she stated.
The impact of the campaign is already being felt, with early signs of success emerging from surveillance data. According to Dr. Elandi Dadi, a World Health Organization (WHO) Surveillance Officer, confirmed cases of measles in Ebonyi State have dropped dramatically from 49 in 2022 to just a single case in 2024. “This underscores the importance of early advocacy and consistent public engagement,” he observed.
The campaign is in alignment with the Renewed Hope Initiative of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, which places high priority on maternal and child health, including expanded access to life-saving immunisations.
Commending the initiative, Dr. Zubairu described the campaign as a paradigm shift in Nigeria’s public health advocacy. “This is not just another health campaign. It is a bold movement powered by the passion and influence of women leaders who are determined to reshape the narrative of child health in Nigeria,” he remarked.
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