The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday led the “Walk to End Polio” campaign, calling urgent and unified action to improve routine immunisation across the state.
EpeInisights reports that the awareness walk was in commemoration of World Immunisation Week 2025, themed “Humanly Possible: Saving Lives Through Immunization”.
The event which was held in collaboration with UNICEF and other development partners, brought together high-level policymakers, development agencies, youth advocates, community leaders, and hundreds of citizens who marched from the Office of the First Lady in Alausa to the Ministry of Education in Ikeja.
Addressing participants, Dr. Sanwo-Olu described immunisation as a fundamental right and not a privilege, stressing the need for collective responsibility in the fight against vaccine-preventable diseases.
“The theme for this year’s World Immunisation Week challenges us to ensure that no child suffers or dies from a disease we already have the tools to prevent,” she said. “Vaccines save lives, and we must strengthen access and awareness across every part of Lagos.”
The Wife of the Deputy Governor, Oluremi Hamzat, also addressed the gathering, urging Lagosians to become immunisation ambassadors within their communities.
UNICEF Highlights Growing Risk of Polio Resurgence
Speaking during the event, the Chief of UNICEF Lagos Field Office, Ms. Celine Lafoucriere, raised alarm over a resurgence of polio in parts of Lagos due to low immunisation coverage, poor sanitation, and malnutrition.
“The oral polio vaccine has helped prevent 24 million cases of paralysis globally, but we are not done yet,” she said.
“In Lagos, we’re now detecting signs of polio resurgence. This tells us routine immunisation must become the norm, not just a campaign activity.”
Lafoucriere emphasized the dangers of misinformation and vaccine hesitancy, calling for sustained education and grassroots mobilization.
“Despite the increasing availability of vaccines, some communities only access them during campaigns. This is not sustainable,” she warned.
“UNICEF continues to support Lagos to reach the hardest-to-reach children, train health workers, and build trust at the community level.”
National Immunisation Plus Days Begin May 3
As part of the effort to curb the spread of polio, the National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDs) will take place from Saturday, May 3 to Tuesday, May 6, 2025. During this period, children aged 0 to 59 months will receive two drops of oral polio vaccine free of charge.
Dr. Sanwo-Olu noted that vaccination teams will operate from public health facilities, and also go house-to-house, covering schools, religious centres, markets, and public spaces.
“We urge all parents and guardians to cooperate fully. Your participation is crucial to protect your children and others,” she said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Ibrahim Mustapha, also echoed the call for stronger collective action, noting that preventing outbreaks is a shared duty of government, healthcare workers, and communities.
“We must commit to stronger action to protect every child from vaccine-preventable diseases,” he said.
