Sokoto Sets 2026 Deadline to End Polio
By: Abudu Olalekan
Sokoto State vows to wipe out vaccine-derived polio by 2026. Dive into Governor Aliyu’s bold plans, new strategies, and partnerships with Gates Foundation for healthier kids in northern Nigeria.
Imagine a dusty road in Sokoto. A mother cradles her child, worried about that nagging health scare. Polio. It’s still lurking, even after Nigeria kicked out the wild kind back in 2020. But here’s the hope. The Sokoto State Government just renewed its fight. They’re gunning to end the circulation of Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus Type 2 by 2026. Yeah, that’s the plan. Stepped up efforts in vaccinations, watching for outbreaks, and rallying communities. Interrupt transmission. For good.
Governor Ahmed Aliyu laid it out clear. During a high-level sit-down at Government House in Sokoto. Tuesday it was. He met with Dr. Chris Elias, President of Global Development at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Picture the room. Formal handshakes. Serious talks. Aliyu’s voice steady, mixing that official tone with a real passion for his people. Nigeria’s wild polio-free certification? Huge win. But these vaccine-derived cases keep popping up. Mostly in northern spots like Sokoto. Why? Low routine immunization rates. Folks moving around a lot. And hesitancy—some just don’t trust the shots yet.
Sokoto’s on the front lines. Priority under the National Polio Emergency Action Plan. Aliyu’s admin isn’t sitting idle. New strategies rolling out. Closing those immunity gaps. Protecting kids in hard-to-reach villages. “Our goal is crystal clear,” he said, or something close. “Stop the Poliovirus Type 2 spread. End it in Sokoto. We’re boosting campaigns, sharpening surveillance, pulling communities in deeper. No kid left out.”
He spilled more. The state coughed up its 2024 Routine Immunisation Memorandum of Understanding counterpart fund. Prompt payment, they call it. Commitment for years ahead. Sustainability. “Political will and funding on time? That’s key,” Aliyu added. “We’ve met our obligations. We’ll keep it up. For the health wins we need.”
Logistics getting a lift too. Procured deep freezers. Power generators. Motorcycles even. All to keep vaccines cold and get health workers to remote spots. No hitches in immunization drives. Service across every local government area. Smart moves.
But it’s bigger than polio. Aliyu appealed. Extend the Primary Health Care MoU with partners. Build on gains. And hey, more support to cut maternal and infant deaths. Over two years, they’ve hired 1,500 nurses and midwives. Filling shortages at primary health spots. “We’ve got a mandatory two-year rural posting for docs and workers,” he noted. Equitable care. For rural folks who need it most.
Dr. Elias? He praised it all. Strong political will from Sokoto. On immunization. Workforce growth. Community ties. “This is vital,” Elias said. “Keeps Nigeria polio-free. Shields kids from nasty diseases.” The meeting hammered home collaboration. Government. Partners. Communities. Together for real healthcare fixes.
Dangote Foundation reps there. Gates Foundation Nigeria office. National Primary Health Care Development Agency too. All in the mix.
This story’s got heart. Sokoto pushing hard. Deadline 2026. Not just words. Actions backing it. Vaccinations ramping. Equipment flowing. Nurses on the ground. Imagine those kids, safe from polio’s grip. Healthier futures. Reportersroom’s tracking it close. Northern Nigeria’s battle. One shot at a time. Hesitancy fading? Hopefully. With funding steady and partnerships strong, yeah. It could happen. Fingers crossed for 2026. No more shadows of this virus. Just progress. Real, tangible. For mothers on those dusty roads.
