Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has affirmed the country’s dedication to eliminating the variant poliovirus by the end of this year.

During a meeting attended by governors under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Shettima emphasized that Nigeria will persist in its efforts to completely eradicate polio by December.

He further revealed that the country’s coverage of the three-dose pentavalent vaccine has increased from 33% in 2016 to 57% in 2021.

Shettima proposed timely domestic financing for vaccine procurement to enhance Nigeria’s industrial capacity in vaccine production.

The variant poliovirus has already declined by 84% in Nigeria, with fewer than 200 cases reported in 2022.

The federal government, alongside state governments, intends to establish a transparent process and structure to address the issue of non-immunized infants in the country.

The goal is to ensure every Nigerian child is covered in routine immunization campaigns, even reaching zero-dose children, with Nigeria having the second-highest number of such children (2 million) after India.

Microsoft Founder Bill Gates, also present at the meeting, reiterated his foundation’s commitment to providing $7 billion in support to Africa over the next four years.

Aliko Dangote, former richest man in Africa, highlighted his collaboration with Bill Gates and the federal and state governments in eradicating polio, improving routine immunization, nutrition, and primary healthcare in Nigeria over the years.