By JKNewsMedia
NIGERIA’s FIRST Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has unveiled the National Measles-Rubella Vaccine Campaign, Africa’s largest vaccination initiative, aimed at safeguarding more than 106 million children aged between nine months and 15 years.
The nationwide exercise, described as a historic milestone in public health, also incorporates polio immunisation and the HPV vaccine rollout for adolescent girls as part of a unified national strategy to eradicate preventable childhood diseases.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Senator Tinubu stressed that vaccines must reach children to fulfil their lifesaving purpose.
“A vaccine in a vial does not save a child — protection only becomes real when that vaccine is injected into the arm of a child,” she said.
The First Lady appealed to mothers, fathers, traditional and religious leaders to take active roles in mobilising families and communities to ensure that every eligible child is vaccinated.
The campaign, she explained, forms part of Nigeria’s broader health commitments under the Immunisation Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
It seeks to strengthen national health systems, reduce child mortality, and build a healthier, more productive generation. Senator Tinubu highlighted that the integration of measles, rubella, polio, and HPV vaccines under one national framework marks a critical step towards eliminating diseases that have historically claimed millions of young lives.
According to the Office of the First Lady, the campaign’s design reflects Nigeria’s renewed drive to align domestic health priorities with global immunisation targets.
The effort is expected to reach every state and local government area, leveraging existing healthcare infrastructure and community-based networks to ensure no child is left behind.
The statement added that this mass vaccination exercise complements ongoing federal investments in maternal and child health, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
Global and national partners, including Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; the Ooni of Ife; the Sultan of Sokoto; and the Christian Association of Nigeria, have joined in support of the campaign.
Their involvement stresses a broad-based commitment to universal immunisation access and disease prevention across Nigeria. Senator Tinubu noted that the success of the initiative depends on sustained collaboration between government, development partners, and communities.
“These vaccines are among the greatest gifts of modern medicine,” Senator Tinubu said. “They save lives, prevent disease, and give every child a fair chance to thrive.”
Her remarks captured the collective goal of the campaign — ensuring that every Nigerian child, regardless of location or circumstance, benefits from lifesaving immunisations that can secure a healthier future.
The National Measles-Rubella Vaccine Campaign stands as a key component of Nigeria’s strategy to strengthen its primary healthcare system and safeguard future generations.
By integrating multiple vaccines into one coordinated effort, the government aims to streamline delivery, improve efficiency, and reinforce confidence in immunisation as a vital tool for national development.
As the campaign progresses, public health authorities and community leaders are expected to intensify awareness and mobilisation efforts nationwide.
The initiative signals Nigeria’s determination to meet global immunisation benchmarks and reduce the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases.
Through collective action and sustained advocacy, the First Lady’s office affirmed that the campaign will contribute significantly to the nation’s goal of achieving universal health coverage and improved child survival outcomes.
