Abuja: Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has announced a significant 191 million dollars Health Systems Strengthening (HSS-3) grant to Nigeria. The primary objective of this grant is to improve immunisation coverage and reach underserved populations across the country.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the initiative targets 1.8 million zero-dose children in Nigeria, aiming to raise immunisation coverage to 84 per cent by 2028. Dr Alex de Jonqui¨res, Gavi's Director of Health Systems and Immunisation Strengthening, announced the grant in Abuja. He highlighted the scale and significance of the grant, noting that it was the result of an inclusive planning process led by Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), state governments, development partners, and civil society.
Dr de Jonqui¨res stated that nearly 80 per cent of the funds would be allocated to states, with more than 10 per cent going directly to civil society organisations to reach the most underserved communities. He praised Nigeria's progress, citing the vaccination of more than 62 million children, averting two million deaths, and the successful introduction of nine new vaccines, including those for HPV and malaria. Gavi has invested over 2.4 billion dollars in Nigeria since 2000, which has enabled the renovation of 493 primary healthcare centres, recruitment of 3,683 health workers, and procurement of essential equipment and logistics vehicles to bolster immunisation delivery.
However, Dr de Jonqui¨res also pointed out that Nigeria still bears the world's highest burden of zero-dose children, urging for increased domestic investment, stronger accountability, and deeper collaboration. He announced an additional 100 million dollars investment for a nationwide measles-rubella campaign in 2025, aiming to protect more than 100 million children, marking Gavi's largest campaign in Nigeria to date. This support aligns with Nigeria's Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) and broader health sector reforms to drive systemic improvements and sustainable progress in child health outcomes.
Ms. Christian Munduate, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, called on stakeholders to view health as a public investment. She emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between the government and private sector to ensure sustainable health systems. Efforts to expand the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), improve transparency, upgrade healthcare worker training, strengthen global partnerships, and scale digital health solutions are seen as long-term investments in Nigeria's future.
Dr Walter Mulombo, World Health Organisation (WHO) Representative in Nigeria, reaffirmed WHO's commitment to strengthening Nigeria's health system through a governance, transparency, and partnership-based approach. He underscored urgent priorities, including reducing zero-dose children, expanding malaria and HPV vaccinations, and introducing the measles-rubella vaccine.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the HSS-3 initiative, supported by Gavi and global partners, aims to improve healthcare access for women and children, particularly in underserved areas. Running from 2025 to 2028, the programme will address resource gaps, strengthen leadership and oversight, and expand primary healthcare services across Nigeria.