The United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) has raised fresh concerns over a possible outbreak of polio in Niger State, citing increasing cases in surrounding states as a major risk factor.
The warning was issued on Monday by the UNICEF’s Social and Behaviour Change Specialist in the Kaduna Field Office, Ibrahim Mohammed, who noted that the proximity of confirmed cases in neighbouring states places Niger State at significant risk if urgent preventive measures are not implemented.
Speaking in Minna ahead of an upcoming immunisation campaign, Mohammed highlighted Bauchi, Kebbi, Kwara, Zamfara, and Sokoto as states recording worrying polio cases, stressing that the spread could easily extend into Niger.
“With the cases in neighbouring states, Niger stands the risk of having a polio outbreak if proactive measures are not taken,” he warned.
He emphasized that children who have not received vaccinations are particularly vulnerable, urging parents and caregivers to take advantage of the immunisation exercise.
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According to him, vaccination remains the only effective protection against the disease, as there is no known cure for polio.
Also speaking, the State Health Educator at the Niger State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Mohammed Usman, confirmed that the immunisation campaign will cover all 25 local government areas of the state.
He explained that multiple doses of the vaccine are required to achieve full protection, cautioning that missed vaccinations could allow the virus to continue spreading within communities.
Health authorities say the planned campaign is part of broader efforts to contain the threat and prevent a potential outbreak, as stakeholders intensify awareness and mobilization across the state.
The development underscores growing concerns among health officials about polio resurgence in parts of Nigeria, particularly in regions with low immunisation coverage and high cross-border movement.
