The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urgently called on the Kano State Government to declare a state of emergency on the outbreak of new variants of polio virus,adding that decisive action is necessary to completely eradicate the disease.
However,Kano has “recorded four cases of the new polio variants in Bunkure, Warawa, and Kano Municipal,”
Speaking during a media dialogue in Kano, the Chief of UNICEF Field Office, Mr. Rahama Rihood Muhammad Farah, warned that disinformation and misconceptions about the disease were undermining the fight against polio.
However,the organization then emphasized that Kano must intensify efforts to meet the December 2025 deadline for total eradication by demonstrating stronger commitment, ensuring timely release of funds, and providing accurate information about vaccination efforts.
“UNICEF reiterates its call to the government to take urgent action and declare a state of emergency on variant polio eradication,” Farah said. “
He urged local government chairpersons to fulfill their responsibilities by doubling efforts to ensure the complete eradication of polio in their communities.
While speaking at the event, the Director General of the Kano State Primary Health Care Management Board, Dr. Muhammad Nasiru Muhmud, assured that the state is on track to eliminate variant poliovirus by the December 2025 deadline.
Dr. Nasiru disclosed that Ungogo Local Government Area remains the highest in non-compliance with vaccination efforts, while security challenges have been reported in Sumaila, Doguwa, Kunchi, and Tsanyawa LGAs.
He therefore stated that” Kano
has recorded four cases of the new polio variants in Bunkure, Warawa, and Kano Municipal,” he stated.
He added that in this second round of the campaign, the state is targeting 3.9 million children under five for vaccination.
“The campaign will run from June 14 to 18 in Bunkure, after which it will be extended to all 44 local government areas in Kano. It’s also important to note that all 19 northern states will simultaneously launch similar vaccination campaigns to help Nigeria meet the eradication goal,” Dr. Nasiru added.