By Aremu Haroon
UNICEF and the Kano State Government have stepped up preparations for the November 2025 Polio Vaccination cc Campaign, urging stronger media involvement to boost public awareness and ensure widespread community participation.
The exercise, scheduled for 29 November to 2 December 2025, aims to immunise 3.1 million children under five across all 484 wards in the state’s 44 local government areas.During a media engagement held in Kano, Rahama Farah, Chief of UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, praised the state government and Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) partners for what he described as significant achievements in halting the spread of circulating variant polioviruses (cVPV2).
According to him, Kano has recorded an over 80 per cent drop in poliovirus cases compared to 2024—reducing from 17 affected LGAs last year to only three confirmed and two pending cases in 2025.“We are engaging the media ahead of the final polio campaign of the year, beginning Saturday, 29 November,” Farah said. “Kano has made tremendous progress. With continued government commitment and partner support, the state has achieved more than an 80 per cent reduction in cases. This is truly remarkable.”Farah highlighted the essential role of radio and other media platforms in spreading accurate information, especially to remote communities with limited access to electricity and television.
He added that 42 million children across 21 priority states nationwide would be targeted in the round.At a separate sensitisation session, Dr. Kabiru Muhammed, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) Zonal Director for the North West—represented by Kano State Coordinator Maryam Umar—said influencers play a critical role in shaping public perception of vaccination.“Our voices are powerful tools for building trust and encouraging parents to bring their children for immunisation,” he said. “Your creativity and influence are vital in countering misconceptions.”Muhammed acknowledged Kano’s progress but cautioned that pockets of low immunity remain due to misinformation and vaccine hesitancy.
He urged influencers to use their platforms to share credible information, promote vaccine uptake, dispel rumours, and encourage positive health behaviours.
A representative of the Kano State Primary Health Care Management Board reaffirmed the state’s preparedness for a smooth rollout, thanking UNICEF and development partners for their consistent support.He revealed that the campaign will use a house-to-house strategy, supported by fixed posts at mosques, churches, markets, schools, and health facilities. He added that nearly 3.9 million children under five would be reached, noting that routine immunisation services—such as HPV and other antigens—would also be integrated.Officials say that with enhanced cooperation among government agencies, UNICEF, influencers, and the media, Kano is poised to strengthen its fight against the poliovirus and safeguard every eligible child in the state.