Hussaini Kafi in Kano
The Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) has pledged $5 million over the next two years to strengthen routine immunisation and critical health infrastructure in Kano State.
Gavi’s Senior Country Manager, Jessica Crawford, announced the commitment on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to Governor Abba Yusuf, represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Suleiman Wali Sani. She said the funding will enhance cold chain equipment, vaccine supply chains, and the health workforce.
“Kano State is home to a large number of zero-dose children, and approximately two-thirds do not receive their full course of vaccines,” Crawford noted. “Our goal is to change this by supporting routine immunisation, critical infrastructure like solar-powered health facilities, and robust community engagement.”
The pledge follows a joint Gavi-led mission with UNICEF, the Gates Foundation, and WHO, which recently installed 8-kilowatt solar panels in 28 primary healthcare centres across the state.
UNICEF Kano Field Office Chief, Rahama Farah, said the intervention targets Nigeria’s 100 zero-dose local government areas, enabling 24-hour primary healthcare services and reliable vaccine refrigeration.
Governor Yusuf commended the partners, calling the support timely amid a diphtheria outbreak in the state. He assured that the resources would be used transparently to strengthen health systems.
Kano State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran, warned against misuse of the facilities, stressing their role in reducing maternal mortality and addressing zero-dose rates.
Gavi emphasised mutual accountability to ensure that the funding delivers measurable improvements in immunisation coverage and primary healthcare outcomes across Kano State.
