Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has announced a new $191 million Health Systems Strengthening (HSS-3) grant to improve boost immunisation coverage in Nigeria, ensure underserved populations were captured.
The initiative which targets 1.8 million zero-dose children and those who have never received any routine vaccines, aims at raising immunisation coverage to 84 per cent by 2028.
Gavi’s Director of Health Systems and Immunisation Strengthening, Dr Alex de Jonquières who made the announcement on Friday in Abuja, described the grant as one of Gavi’s largest ever, emphasising its scale and significance.
According to him, the grant was the result of an inclusive planning process led by Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), state governments, development partners, and civil society.
He said: “The investment will support health system expansion, particularly at the sub-national level. Mnearly 80 per cent of the funds will be allocated to states, and more than 10 per cent will go directly to civil society organisations to reach the most underserved communities.”
de Jonquières lauded Nigeria’s progress, citing more than 62 million children vaccinated, two million deaths averted, and the successful introduction of nine new vaccines, including those for HPV and malaria. He added that Gavi had invested more than $2.4 billion in Nigeria since 2000.
“This support has enabled the renovation of 493 primary healthcare centres, recruitment of 3,683 health workers, and procurement of cold chain equipment and logistics vehicles to strengthen immunisation delivery.”
However, de Jonquières who regretted that Nigeria still bear the world’s highest burden of zero-dose children, called for increased domestic investment, stronger accountability, and deeper collaboration.
“As we launch this new phase, we stand at a transformative moment. No child should die from a vaccine-preventable disease.”
He also announced an additional 100 million dollars investment for a nationwide measles-rubella campaign in 2025, which aimed to protect more than 100 million children, Gavi’s largest campaign in Nigeria to date.
“This support aligns with Nigeria’s Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) and broader health sector reforms to drive systemic improvements and sustainable progress in child health outcomes.”
UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Christian Munduate urged stakeholders in Nigeria to view health as a public investment rather than an expenditure.
