NPHCDA Expands Immunisation and Primary Health Care Services to Protect Nigerian Children & Strengthen PHC System
Abuja & Nationwide, Nigeria — The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) is driving forward comprehensive public health reforms and immunisation efforts that are strengthening Nigeria’s primary health care (PHC) system, expanding vaccine coverage, and protecting millions of children from preventable diseases. These efforts align with the federal government’s health priorities and demonstrate measurable progress in community health outcomes.
Widespread Vaccination Campaign to Close Immunisation Gaps
A nationwide vaccination campaign is underway across Nigeria, led by NPHCDA in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health, World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and other health partners to close immunity gaps for children and adolescents. The campaign provides vaccines for measles-rubella, polio, and other preventable diseases — administered through primary health care centres, schools, religious centres, and mobile posts to ensure coverage in underserved and hard-to-reach communities.
Officials emphasise that immunisation is one of the most cost-effective public health investments, significantly reducing child morbidity and mortality while promoting long-term social and economic development. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to visit the nearest PHC facility or community vaccination point during the campaign.
Reforms to Strengthen PHC and Reach Zero-Dose Children
At a recent quarterly media briefing in Abuja, Dr. Muyi Aina, Executive Director and CEO of NPHCDA, unveiled expanded reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s PHC system and reaching an estimated 2.1 million “zero-dose” children (children who have not received any vaccine by their first birthday).
Key components of this reform agenda include:
• Scaling up functional primary health centres: A target of at least 17,600 fully functional PHCs nationwide, equipped and staffed to deliver essential health services, especially maternal and child care.
• Improved funding flows: Expansion of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to ensure direct quarterly financing to facilities, with low-volume centres receiving N600,000 and high-volume centres N800,000 per quarter.
• Targeted immunisation strategy: Introduction of the Identify, Enumerate, Vaccinate (IEV) approach to find and vaccinate children not yet reached by routine programmes.
• Digital health systems: Roll-out of real-time PHC dashboards, e-learning platforms in major Nigerian languages, and electronic financial management systems to enhance transparency and service delivery.
These reforms are expected to improve health outcomes by closing service gaps, deepening accountability, and boosting the capacity of PHCs to deliver preventive and curative services.
Cross-Sector Partnerships and State Collaboration
Efforts to bolster immunisation and primary healthcare delivery are also being supported at the state level. In Cross River State, government officials flagged off a Measles–Rubella Vaccination Campaign with strong backing from development partners and community leaders. The integrated campaign targets children aged 9 months to 14 years and aims to protect them against multiple vaccine-preventable diseases — reflecting a collaborative approach between federal and state health agencies.
Community mobilization and stakeholder engagement are critical pillars of this campaign, with traditional rulers, caregivers, and civil society groups encouraged to support high vaccine uptake and help ensure no child is left unprotected.
Why This Matters for Nigeria
Strengthened Health Security: Expanding immunisation coverage helps interrupt disease transmission and protects communities from outbreaks of measles, polio, and other preventable illnesses.
Functional Primary Care: Reforms aimed at fully operationalising thousands of PHCs across Nigeria make essential health services more accessible at the grassroots level and help reduce avoidable maternal and child deaths.
Data-Driven Accountability: Digital tracking and financial management systems build transparency and ensure that resources benefit citizens effectively, reinforcing public trust in the health system.
Together, these developments showcase how NPHCDA’s coordinated efforts are strengthening Nigeria’s PHC architecture and driving progress toward equitable health outcomes for all citizens.
