CSOs demand release of N108bn to tackle zero-dose children crisis in Nigeria

The Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have raised concerns as Nigeria accounts for over 30% of zero-dose children worldwide, and urged the Federal Government (FG) to release the N108 billion for 2024.

Speaking at a media conference, Chika Offor, Executive Director of Vaccine Network for Disease Control, said immunisation remains one of the most cost-effective public health interventions, preventing diseases, reducing mortality, and contributing to healthier communities and a stronger economy.

She advocated for the full release of the N231.7 billion allocated for 2025.

Offor noted it is imperative for the Federal, State and Local Governments to prioritise immunisation funds because this would address the maternal mortality rate in Nigeria.

She added that immunising Nigeria’s children is the most cost-effective public health intervention, preventing diseases, reducing mortality, and contributing to healthier communities and a stronger economy.

“We are here today because our future depends on it. We are here today to underscore a matter of utmost national and global importance: Prioritising Immunisation Financing for Child Survival, making a case for immunisation.

“Immunisation remains one of the most cost-effective public health interventions, preventing diseases, reducing mortality, and contributing to healthier communities and a stronger economy.

”We acknowledge, with deep appreciation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his unwavering commitment to child health and survival, released all 2022 and 2023 outstanding domestic vaccine financing and also released 25% of the 2024 domestic vaccine financing,” she said.

Offor said even though the Nigerian government have saved millions of lives through vaccines but more needs to be done. “Vaccines have saved millions of lives and remain central to achieving Nigeria’s health and development goals. Nigeria has made concerted efforts to reduce child mortality through vaccination programs carried out in all Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in the country.

“Over the past few years, immunisation efforts in Nigeria have expanded routine immunisation coverage,; Introduced new, life-saving vaccines, including the HPV vaccine, Rotavirus vaccine, and malaria vaccine and eradicated the wild poliovirus, once a major public health threat.

“These are remarkable achievements. But the journey is far from over. Nigeria still has one of the highest numbers of zero-dose children, those who have never received a single routine vaccine.

“As stated in the District Health Information Software 2 (DHIS2), Nigeria alone accounts for approximately 30% of zero-dose children worldwide, causing high child mortality rates. Behind each of those numbers is a child at risk of disease, disability, or death. “These gaps in coverage threaten to reverse the progress we have made.

“Behind every statistic is a name, a face, a family, and a future hanging in the balance. This is not just data. This is a national emergency hidden in plain sight. Immunisation is one of the greatest success stories in public health. It is affordable, accessible, and proven. It saves lives.

“It safeguards communities. It strengthens economies. Yet, in 2025, the basic right of every child to be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases is still being negotiated in fiscal terms.”

She said, globally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), estimate that 3.5 to 5 million deaths are prevented each year, primarily among children under five.

Yet, 1.5 million children still die annually from diseases that could have been prevented by vaccines. That is why vaccination is not optional—it is essential to child survival.

Offor stressed that delaying funding for immunisation programs puts millions of Nigerian children at risk—risk of diphtheria, meningitis, vaccine stockouts, and other preventable crises.

”Without consistent vaccine funding, over 1 million Nigerian children under five remain at risk of dying from diseases we already have the power to prevent.

”Additionally, immunisation saves an estimated ₦6,000–₦11,000 in treatment costs per child—money that poor families simply do not have. For every ₦1 invested in vaccines, ₦16 is returned in health and economic benefits.”That is not just a smart investment, it is a life-saving one.

“Yet funding gaps and delays mean vaccines sometimes arrive after outbreaks begin. By then, it is often too late,” she said.

She said strengthening domestic financing for immunisation is essential to reducing dependence on donor funding and achieving sustainable, equitable health outcomes. She, therefore, urged the Federal Ministry of Finance to choose immunisation by releasing the outstanding ₦108 billion for 2024 and ensuring the full release of the ₦231.7 billion allocated for 2025. She said, “In Nigeria, timely immunisation is not just a calendar event, it is a lifeline.

“Every day, vaccines are delayed due to slow, fragmented, or incomplete funding, a child somewhere is left vulnerable—their tiny body wide open to diseases they should have been protected from before their first birthday.”

She urged the state governments to adopt and adapt frameworks that ensure routine and emergency immunisation funding is embedded in state budgets, released timely and utilised efficiently and Legislators must ensure that the policy environment supports the allocation and timely release of immunisation funds. Because every naira released late could mean the difference between a child’s first birthday and their final breath.

Offor, therefore, urged all stakeholders to recommit themselves to building a health system that leaves no child behind, and to ensure that immunisation remains a top priority on the national health agenda, with sustainable financing at its core.

Usman, in his goodwill message, lamented that if immunisation had been prioritised, then Nigeria wouldn’t be where it is in terms of the zero-dose children crisis.

He said, “It is a lack of prioritisation that is causing child mortality. Lack of prioritising is a major issue, and it is imperative that the government change. The government shouldn’t take chances with people’s lives in Nigeria. We need to continue to urge the government to release the outstanding funds.

“This type of outstanding discourages parliamentarians.”

He lamented that for 2024, N108 billion has not been released, and already in August 2025, over N231 billion are yet to be released for 2025,the government need to do more on the immunisation fund.

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