Declare state of emergency on Polio eradication – UNICEF tells Kano govt

The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, has on Monday April 21, 2025, called on the Kano State Government to declare a state of emergency on polio.

UNICEF said the recent resurgence of the virus in Kano and other states has become alarming.

Rahma Farah, Chief of Field Office, made the call during a media dialogue on polio and routine immunisation in Kano.

Farah, represented by Michael Banda, UNICEF’s Senior Education Manager, said Nigeria recorded 18 polio cases in nine states.

According to him, Kano recorded three cases in Warawa, Bunkure, and Nassarawa local councils alone.

“This is unacceptable and must be urgently addressed,” he said. “Polio knows no boundaries and threatens children everywhere.”

The event was held in collaboration with the Kano State Government and the State Primary Health Care Management Board.

It aimed to rally media support ahead of the Polio Vaccination Campaign scheduled for April 24 to 30.

The campaign coincides with World Immunisation Week, a global initiative to improve vaccine awareness and coverage.

Farah urged media professionals to counter myths and disinformation that threaten immunisation efforts across the state.

“UNICEF values your commitment to child rights and public awareness,” he said.

“We urge you to share accurate information and encourage parents to vaccinate their children,” he added.

Farah revealed that more than three billion people have received polio vaccines since 1988.

Despite this progress, he warned that the virus still poses a major threat in many regions.

UNICEF also urged Kano authorities to release counterpart funds for immunisation activities without delay.

It asked LGA chairmen to show commitment by financing, supervising, and enforcing compliance during campaigns.

Traditional and religious leaders were also asked to openly support polio eradication and mobilise their communities.

Speaking at the event, Kano State Immunisation Officer, Sa’adatu Ibrahim, said Kano confirmed three new cVPV2 cases in 2025.

She explained that surveillance data traced two cases through Acute Flaccid Paralysis and one through Environmental Surveillance.

She warned that gaps in immunisation coverage continue to allow the virus to spread undetected in communities.

“Every missed child is a hiding place for the virus,” she said.

Kano targets 4.1 million children in the upcoming campaign to halt the spread of polio.

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