Amid growing concerns over declining international donor support, stakeholders from across Nigeria’s health, policy and development sectors have come together to make a powerful case for increased domestic investment in immunisation.
They argue that vaccines are not only crucial for saving lives but also represent a wise economic investment that can significantly boost the nation’s productivity, education outcomes and long-term development prospects.
The call to action was made during a high-level validation event held in Abuja for the Partnership to Reach Zero-Dose Children (PREACH) 2.0. The meeting, organised by the Vaccine Network for Disease Control (VNDC) in collaboration with the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), brought together health experts, academic leaders, civil society organisations, donor agencies and government representatives to review a rapid research report that lays out the economic case for sustained immunisation financing in Nigeria.
At the gathering, executive director of VNDC, Chika Offor stressed the urgency of the situation. She explained that global dynamics have shifted dramatically, leaving Nigeria at a crossroads.
“A lot of things have happened both nationally and internationally that make it imperative for us to make the economic case for vaccines now,” Offor declared. “USAID funding is practically gone, EU support is under threat and many other donors are gradually pulling out. It’s time we start looking inward and take ownership of our immunisation programmes.”
Offor emphasised that Nigeria must begin to see vaccines not just as a public health necessity but as a critical economic asset with far-reaching impacts across multiple sectors. “When we look at the entire value chain, we must ask ourselves: what is the economic benefit of vaccines to Nigeria? How do vaccines interact with sectors like education and labour productivity? Vaccines save lives, yes—but they also save money, and that’s a fact we cannot ignore.”
She further noted that while childhood immunisation often receives the most attention, the scope is much broader. New vaccines, such as those for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) to prevent cervical cancer, are becoming increasingly essential in safeguarding public health and ensuring economic resilience.
“Vaccination remains the most cost-effective strategy to prevent diseases and avoid expensive, long-term healthcare costs,” she said. “But beyond budget allocations, we must explore innovative financing models. Dedicated taxes or earmarked funds – much like how other national sectors secure sustainable financing – should be considered.”
Offor also highlighted the importance of evidence-based advocacy, asserting that the validated economic report now arms stakeholders with credible data to engage policymakers more effectively and push for immunisation as a fiscal priority.
Echoing her sentiments, technical assistant to the executive director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Yahaya Oloriegbe outlined three critical pillars for sustainable vaccine financing: ensuring vaccine availability across all levels of the supply chain, maintaining proper cold chain storage and guaranteeing transparency in distribution.
“These three goals are vital to our broader mission of ensuring no child is left behind,” he stated. Oloriegbe cautioned that Nigeria’s impending transition out of Gavi support heightens the urgency to develop sustainable domestic financing strategies. “Our commitment is unwavering. We will ensure an uninterrupted vaccine supply chain, but this cannot happen in isolation. It requires collaboration from every sector.”
Nigeria coordinator for prevention of epidemics/immunisation programmes at GHAI, Prof. Emmanuel Alhassan stressed that sustained investment in vaccines is not a luxury but a necessity for the nation’s survival and prosperity.
“Sustained investment in immunisation is a lifeline for future generations,” he declared. “We want every stakeholder — government, civil society, the media – to realise this is not just about conversations in conference rooms. There is a solid economic and political argument to be made here. If we fail to invest in our children’s health today, we risk lagging as other nations move forward.”
The event was filled with vigorous discussions, with stakeholders challenging one another to think creatively and adopt unconventional approaches to vaccine financing. Chair of the National Advocates for Health, Hon. Muhammad Usman called for bold leadership and decisive action, drawing inspiration from successful global examples.
“There are untapped resources in this country,” he pointed out. “If we block financial leakages and think innovatively, we can generate enough funds to fully finance our immunisation programmes.”
From the grassroots level, the emotional and economic toll of vaccine-preventable diseases was underscored by Comfort Ngolara, a representative of the National Council for Women’s Societies.
“Vaccines are dear to us as mothers,” she said passionately. “Imagine the pain of watching a child suffer from a disease that could have been prevented. But with vaccines, we can sleep peacefully at night. Our children grow healthier and sharper, ready to learn and thrive.”
Executive director of the Centre for Accountability and Inclusive Development, Ms. Aanu Rotimi provided a compelling economic perspective. “For every one naira spent on immunisation, we save about 44 naira in avoided healthcare costs and productivity gains. We reduce maternal and child deaths, lessen the burden on our healthcare workers, and lift families out of poverty.”
UNICEF’s Social Policy Specialist, Mr. Otabor Isaac, pushed the conversation even further, advocating for Nigeria to develop local vaccine production capacities. “Let’s start seeing immunisation as an economic opportunity. Other nations attract grants and loans but also build vaccine industries that create jobs and boost their economies. Why can’t Nigeria do the same?” he challenged.
The rapid research report validated at the event painted a stark picture. Titled ‘Rapid Investment Case and Economic Analysis for Childhood Immunisation (2024–2030),’ it revealed that Nigeria could prevent approximately 1.4 million child deaths by 2030 with scaled-up and sustained immunisation funding. The report also highlighted that every dollar spent on immunisation yields more than 33 USD in healthcare savings — making it one of the smartest investments a nation can make.
While the federal immunisation budget impressively grew from N6.5 billion in 2020 to N203.4 billion in 2024, only about 48.1 per cent of the allocated funds were released in 2022, revealing a critical gap in budget execution.
The report outlined two clear paths: one of stagnation, with limited coverage and increasing healthcare costs and one of ambition, where investment in nation-wide immunisation scale-up could transform Nigeria’s health and economic landscape. For example, in 2021, only 49.2 per cent coverage was recorded for OPV3 and IPV vaccines, underscoring the urgent need for action.
As Nigeria faces the reality of diminishing donor funds, the message from the event was unmistakable: the time for decisive, homegrown investment in immunisation is now.
