Five-year package to strengthen vaccine delivery, expand routine immunisation and support primary healthcare reforms as Nigeria records fourfold increase in PHC utilisation.
The Federal Government has secured a five-year support package worth nearly $500 million from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to strengthen routine immunisation, improve vaccine delivery and accelerate reforms in Nigeria’s primary healthcare system.
The funding package was announced following a high-level meeting between the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, and Gavi’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Sania Nishtar, who led a delegation to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in Abuja.
The meeting was attended by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Daju Kachollom, senior ministry officials and the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Muyi Aina.
Describing the package as a major endorsement of the government’s ongoing health reforms, Prof. Pate said the support would strengthen domestic financing for vaccines while improving access to life-saving immunisation services across the country.
He said the funding would help Nigeria secure vaccines, improve distribution systems and ensure that more children receive routine immunisation regardless of their location.
“The proposed support of almost US$500 million over the next five years speaks volumes. It gives us greater momentum to strengthen domestic financing, secure vaccines and ensure they reach every Nigerian child,” the minister said.
Prof. Pate said Nigeria has recorded significant improvements in primary healthcare delivery since Gavi’s last visit in 2023.
According to him, quarterly visits to Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) have risen from about 10 million to over 40 million, driven by the revitalisation of thousands of health facilities, improved routine immunisation services, and expanded maternal and child healthcare programmes.
He also highlighted the successful implementation of what he described as the world’s largest measles-rubella vaccination campaign, which immunised more than 102 million Nigerian children.
Gavi increases support
Speaking during the meeting, Gavi Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Sania Nishtar, described Nigeria as the alliance’s second-largest country portfolio globally and its largest co-financing partner.
She announced an upward review of Nigeria’s vaccine and financial allocation, alongside a reduction in the country’s co-financing obligations to provide greater fiscal flexibility.
Nishtar explained that reforms introduced under the Gavi 6.0 Strategy include simplified funding processes, decentralised decision-making, digitised grant management and more predictable five-year vaccine financing.
She noted that many of the changes were informed by recommendations made during her 2023 visit to Nigeria.
“While many global health institutions are reducing their footprint, we will continue supporting Nigeria’s immunisation programme,” she said.
Partnership to expand vaccine coverage
Earlier, Permanent Secretary Daju Kachollom described the visit as another milestone in the longstanding partnership between Nigeria and Gavi.
She reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to providing the leadership and coordination needed to strengthen immunisation systems, improve primary healthcare services and translate the partnership into better health outcomes for Nigerians.
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Both the Federal Government and Gavi reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining gains in routine immunisation, accelerating polio eradication, expanding Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, strengthening primary healthcare and increasing domestic investment in the health sector.
The renewed partnership is expected to enhance Nigeria’s efforts to build a more resilient healthcare system while ensuring that every Nigerian child has access to life-saving vaccines and quality primary healthcare services.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.