The newly appointed Chairman of the board of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), and former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, has called on the federal government to prioritize vaccine financing as a central part of Nigeria’s health investment strategy, warning that failure to do so could jeopardize the country’s future.
Speaking at a press briefing to commemorate World Health Day on Monday in Abuja, he emphasised the need to shift from policy talk to actual local vaccine production by engaging Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector and incentivizing private sector participation in immunization financing.
Senator Oloriegbe argued that with dwindling donor support, it is imperative for Nigeria to take full ownership of its vaccine needs through consistent and predictable funding mechanisms.
The NHIA Board Chairman also insisted that immunization remains one of the most cost-effective public health interventions, noting that “many of us are alive today because we received vaccines as children.”
He warned that rising cases of preventable diseases like measles and bacterial meningitis in Nigeria were clear evidence of vaccine gaps, especially among zero-dose children. “Investing in vaccines today means we spend less on treating outbreaks tomorrow,” he said.
This is as he added that the proposed N1 trillion investment in primary health care must include strong support for immunization programs to ensure a healthy, productive population.
