ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria has received 1,653 solar-powered vaccine refrigerators to strengthen its cold-chain system and safeguard millions of children against deadly diseases.
The Solar Direct Drive (SDD) refrigerators, donated by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, are being distributed nationwide to support the upcoming measles, rubella and polio vaccination campaign targeting more than 109 million children.
“These refrigerators will ensure safe vaccines reach even off-grid communities, with 10 years of maintenance support already secured,” said Director-General of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Muyi Aina. “Every state of the federation, including the FCT, will benefit, with 53 per cent allocated to northern states and 47 percent to southern states.”
Representing the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Alex Chimbaru praised Nigeria’s leadership, saying the equipment would play a “pivotal role in maintaining vaccine potency in remote and energy-challenged areas,” while advancing the Immunisation Agenda 2030.
UNICEF Nigeria’s Chief of Health, Maharajan Muthu, stressed the technology’s transformative impact. “These refrigerators guarantee uninterrupted cold-chain services in off-grid areas, ensuring every child has access to safe and effective vaccines,” he said.
The refrigerators, which include spare parts and temperature monitoring devices, are already being dispatched from Abuja.
Dr Aina says the move will improve last-mile delivery, reduce vaccine wastage, and close nationwide immunisation gaps.
Health experts describe the initiative as a major step towards universal health coverage and an important safeguard for Nigeria’s most vulnerable children
