The Canadian government has provided a grant of $9,261,920 to the Federal Government of Nigeria to support the expansion of COVID-19 vaccine services for high-priority risk groups and strengthen the country’s health system.

The grant was launched in Abuja as part of the Canada Global Initiative for Vaccine.

The High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Jamie Christoff, highlighted Canada’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in disease prevention and protecting vulnerable populations.

The project aims to reinforce public health systems and integrate COVID-19 into Nigeria’s health information systems, including gender-responsive data.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Walter Mulombo, emphasized the need to improve vaccine coverage among priority populations, especially the elderly, people with underlying health conditions, and those in humanitarian and security-compromised communities.

Dr. Faisal Shuaib, the Executive Director and CEO of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, acknowledged the progress made in Nigeria’s vaccination program but stressed the importance of reaching populations with lower coverage and increasing booster doses.

The grant will be implemented through the WHO, targeting states such as Ondo, Rivers, Kogi, Delta, Ebonyi, Lagos, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Benue, Ogun, Katsina, Taraba, Anambra, Kebbi, and Edo.