Khadijah Aliyu
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has hailed Kano State’s remarkable success in reducing polio cases by 96%, describing it as a major milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing fight to eradicate the disease.
The WHO Kano State Coordinator Dr. Mayana Abubakar, disclosed this during a town hall meeting with 484 Ward Development Committees (WDCs) held in Kano to commemorate World Polio Day 2025
Dr Mayana announced that Kano reduced polio cases from 31 in 2024 to just three in 2025, crediting the achievement to the relentless efforts of health workers, community leaders, the Kano State Government, and development partners.
“Through improved campaign quality and coverage, Kano has achieved a significant milestone in the fight against polio,”
He explained that the progress reflects enhanced surveillance of Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPDs), as well as the integration of polio campaigns into broader health programs such as Routine Immunisation (RI), Measles-Rubella (MR), and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations.
According to him, this year’s theme, “End Polio: Every Child, Every Vaccine, Everywhere”, emphasises the shared moral and public health responsibility to ensure that no child is left unprotected.
Dr Mayana further noted that Nigeria has remained free of Wild Poliovirus since August 2020, a feat sustained through strong government leadership and global partner support.
“Today, as we commemorate World Polio Day, we reflect on how far we have come, celebrate our health heroes, and re-energise our resolve to close the final gap,”
He commended the Kano State Government under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, the State Ministry of Health, and the State Primary Healthcare Management Board (SPHCMB)for their unwavering leadership in strengthening the state’s immunisation and disease surveillance systems.
The WHO coordinator also acknowledged the crucial support of global partners, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Rotary International, UNICEF, CDC, USAID, AFENET, and Solina, for their technical and financial assistance.
Dr. Mayana paid tribute to frontline health workers describing them as the driving force behind Kano’s success story.
“We celebrate our health heroes who move from house to house, settlement to settlement, often under challenging conditions, to ensure no child is left behind,”
He reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to supporting the Kano State Government and Nigeria in the final push toward total polio eradication.