UNICEF raises alarm over detection of polio variant in Kano LGAs

DDM News

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has expressed serious concern following the recent detection of a poliovirus variant in four local government areas of Kano State.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that the revelation was made on Thursday by UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office in Kano, Mr. Rahama Mohammed, during the June edition of the Media Dialogue on Polio and Routine Immunisation.

Mohammed disclosed that the virus was identified through surveillance activities carried out in 2025, with Warawa, Bunkure, Kano Municipal, and Nasarawa LGAs affected.

Describing the situation as alarming, he called for swift and coordinated action to prevent further spread.

“This is unacceptable and must be halted. Polio remains a highly infectious disease that spreads rapidly and knows no borders,” he warned.

Mohammed further stated that the detection of the variant could pose a wider threat to the country’s polio-free status, warning that no community is safe until the virus is completely eradicated.

He urged stakeholders—including all tiers of government, traditional leaders, and the media—to intensify awareness campaigns and promote widespread vaccination, especially in vulnerable and high-risk communities.

According to him, achieving full immunisation coverage in affected areas is critical to halting transmission and safeguarding children’s health.

Mohammed reiterated UNICEF’s unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s polio eradication agenda and called for improved coordination, transparency, and accountability in immunisation efforts.

“We must act collectively and urgently. Every child deserves protection against this preventable disease,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, the Director-General of the Kano State Primary Health Care Management Board, Dr. Nasiru Mahmud, assured that the state government remains fully committed to eradicating the disease.

He reaffirmed the government’s target of achieving zero-polio status by the end of 2025.

Mahmud stated that Kano State is also pursuing a parallel goal of significantly reducing maternal mortality through improved healthcare delivery.

He highlighted ongoing collaboration with traditional institutions and local governments as part of the state’s community engagement strategy.

“Traditional rulers and the 44 LGA chairmen are key partners in our fight against polio,” Mahmud emphasized.

He stressed the need for strong grassroots support to overcome resistance and ensure vaccine acceptance across all communities.

Mahmud also pledged that the government would allocate the necessary resources and leadership to meet its polio eradication timeline.

Health experts have warned that any lapse in immunisation efforts could reverse years of progress in Nigeria’s battle against polio.

Nigeria was declared free of the wild poliovirus in 2020, but variant strains—typically linked to low vaccine coverage—continue to pose serious threats.

Public health advocates are now calling for renewed vigilance, especially in states like Kano with a history of resistance to immunisation efforts.

UNICEF and other partners are expected to scale up outreach campaigns and mobile vaccination drives in the affected LGAs in the coming weeks.

Community leaders and faith-based organisations are also being mobilised to counter misinformation and build public trust in vaccines.

The latest development underscores the fragile nature of Nigeria’s polio-free status and the importance of maintaining high immunisation coverage across all regions.

With strong community participation and political will, health officials believe the country can stay on track to achieve full eradication of all forms of polio by 2025.

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