Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called on parents, guardians, and caregivers across the country to ensure full participation in the ongoing nationwide measles-rubella vaccination campaign, aimed at protecting children against preventable diseases.
Speaking at the official flag-off ceremony of the campaign in Abuja on Monday, the First Lady emphasized that the exercise was crucial to safeguarding the health and future of Nigerian children, describing vaccination as a collective responsibility.
Every Nigerian child deserves a healthy start in life,” she said. “This campaign is not just about immunization — it’s about saving lives, protecting dreams, and ensuring our children grow strong and safe.”
Mrs. Tinubu, who is also the Chairperson of the Renewed Hope Initiative, urged mothers to take advantage of the free vaccines being administered at health centres, schools, and community outreaches across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
We must not allow misinformation or negligence to put our children at risk. The vaccines are safe, effective, and vital to ending measles and rubella in Nigeria.”
The nationwide campaign, organized by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), and other partners, targets over 50 million children aged 9 months to 5 years.
Minister of Health, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, noted that the vaccination drive is part of efforts to eliminate measles and rubella by 2030, in line with the Global Vaccine Action Plan.
We have made progress, but outbreaks still occur in areas with low immunization coverage,” Pate said. “This campaign will help bridge those gaps and strengthen our routine immunization system.”
Also speaking, UNICEF’s Country Representative, Cristian Munduate, commended Nigeria’s commitment to child health and reiterated the agency’s support for ensuring no child is left behind.
Several mothers at the event praised the initiative, saying it has increased awareness and improved access to free vaccines in their communities.
The First Lady concluded by urging traditional, community, and religious leaders to mobilize households for full participation, stressing that “a vaccinated child is a nation’s assurance of a healthy tomorrow.”
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