The Federal Government has intensified efforts to address Nigeria's growing zero-dose child challenge by mobilising traditional rulers across Northern Nigeria to help reach millions of children who have not received routine immunisation and other essential primary healthcare services.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, made the appeal today during the Quarterly Review Meeting of the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee on Primary Health Care. The meeting brought together government officials, traditional rulers, development partners and public health experts to assess progress in routine immunisation, polio eradication and primary healthcare delivery across the 19 northern states.

Pate said Nigeria's biggest immunisation challenge is no longer the availability of vaccines but ensuring they reach children who remain unvaccinated due to vaccine hesitancy, insecurity, population displacement and hard-to-reach communities. He urged traditional rulers to intensify community mobilisation, identify underserved settlements and encourage families to embrace routine immunisation.

— PUNCH