To address longstanding challenges threatening Nigeria’s immunisation programmes, the federal government has convened the inaugural session of the Immunisation Financing Policy Roundtable Series.
This initiative is closely linked to the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), unveiled in December 2023, which seeks to reform the nation’s health system structures and secure sustainable funding for critical health services, particularly immunisation.
Dr. Tanimu Yakubu, Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, disclosed in Abuja on Friday that the session focused on the theme, “Sustainable Vaccine Financing in Nigeria’s Federal Arrangement.” According to him, the dialogue aims to tackle systemic issues that have historically weakened Nigeria’s efforts to achieve nationwide immunisation coverage.
The effort is being led by the Budget Office of the Federation in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA). It has attracted technical and strategic support from key partners, including the World Bank, Gavi, Results for Development (R4D), and the Vaccine Network for Disease Control. The goal is to design innovative, domestically-driven financing models capable of sustaining the country’s immunisation agenda.
Despite dedicated national initiatives, current data shows that only 59 percent of Nigerian children aged 12-23 months are fully immunised, significantly below the World Health Organisation’s target of 90 percent.
Alarmingly, about 3.1 million children within that age group have not received any vaccines at all. This reality, health policy experts say, makes a strong case for a more resilient, predictable, and adequately funded immunisation structure that can effectively serve all regions under Nigeria’s federal system.
Dr. Tanimu Yakubu noted that during discussions at the roundtable, stakeholders observed that continued dependence on external donor support leaves Nigeria’s immunisation programmes vulnerable to funding disruptions.
They argued for a shift towards building a reliable domestic financing mechanism that draws from both national and subnational resources. Integrating immunisation funding into broader health sector planning and budgeting processes was identified as a key step toward sustainability.
The proposed financing blueprint draws examples from international models that have shown measurable results. Among these are National Immunization Funds adopted in countries like Vietnam and Indonesia, where dedicated funds ensure stable financing; earmarked taxes channelled into health priorities, a model that has supported immunization efforts in the Philippines and Thailand; and performance-based financing as practiced in Rwanda and Ethiopia, which ties funding to measurable improvements in vaccine coverage and program accountability.
By studying and adapting these approaches to fit Nigeria’s unique governance and fiscal landscape, Dr. Tanimu Yakubu stated that policymakers believe the country can build an inclusive and lasting immunisation financing model.
The objective, they noted, is not only to secure immediate funding needs but to establish a multi-tiered framework that strengthens accountability and ensures consistent, long-term coverage.
Ultimately, the roundtable marks the beginning of what government officials and health experts describe as a critical journey towards protecting millions of Nigerian children from vaccine-preventable diseases.
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