Stakeholders at a recent immunization budget analysis workshop, themed “Sustaining Immunization through Strong Primary Healthcare: Empowering Advocacy and Partnerships for Long-Term Vaccine Financing at the Subnational Level,” are sounding the alarm, calling on Nigeria’s government and citizens to prioritize domestic resource mobilization to safeguard the country’s immunization progress and prevent the collapse of its Primary Health Care system.
Leading the charge, Chika Offor, CEO of Vaccine Network for Disease Control, expressed concern over the growing vulnerability of the poor, especially as many PHCs in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) remain shut due to local government staff strikes.
“Do you know that many of the primary health care centers in the FCT are closed?” she asked. “The LGAs are on strike, and because of that, the health centres are shut. Now let’s think about what happens to the poor and vulnerable who cannot afford private hospitals?”
Offor commended the resilience of participants who travelled from various states some risking insecurity in the North to attend the workshop.
“I want to celebrate my brothers and sisters who came by road from the North despite all the insecurity. They risked their lives to be here because they believe in strengthening the health system,” she said, drawing applause.
She emphasized the need for Nigerians to take ownership of their health systems and end overreliance on foreign aid.
“Let us come with our passion. Let us come with the desire to make that change to learn. We cannot continue depending on external funding. It’s time we looked inward to finance our own health solutions,” she said.
Her sentiments were echoed by Chika Nwannko, Head of Programs at the Vaccinate Health and Disease Program, who argued that the COVID-19 pandemic should have taught Nigeria the importance of self-reliance.
“At the beginning, if nothing taught us anything, COVID did. Despite all the aid from the global net, they prioritized their people and rightfully so. This is our country. We must begin to look inward,” Nwannko said.
She shared stories of grassroots innovation, including one from Imo State, where 30 women, after receiving small grants, raised ₦500,000 to purchase blood pressure monitors and weighing scales for their community PHC.
“That’s ownership. That’s sustainability,” she noted.
In Abuja’s Kabusa community, Nwannko highlighted how Beelback Kitchen, a local restaurant, renovated and equipped a PHC through its corporate social responsibility initiative.
“What are we talking about? A restaurant is financing a PHC. So yes, anyone can do it. Philanthropists, CSOs, private individuals. It’s time to shift from dependency to partnership and participation.”
According to her, the new approach emphasizes structured collaboration between civil society, government, media, and the private sector with memoranda of understanding and clear operational frameworks to ensure sustainability.
As Nigeria continues its efforts to eliminate zero-dose children and expand equitable healthcare, stakeholders at the forum agreed on one thing: the future of public health must be homegrown.
“Yes, international donors are welcome. But sustainability? That must be Nigerian,” Nwannko concluded.
Earlier , Muhammad B. Abdullahi, Deputy Director of Primary Healthcare in Jigawa State, said they had drastically reduced the number of zero-dose children through State Outreach Days and mobile immunization teams.
“Our Masaki Project, which uses local food to combat malnutrition, is another community-driven initiative making a difference,” he added.
The Masaki Project trains volunteers to teach families how to use locally available food to prevent malnutrition, identify at-risk children early, and refer severe cases for treatment.
Abdullahi stressed that the future of healthcare in Nigeria lies in community ownership and local funding models.
“Most donor-funded programs end, and with them, progress dies. But now, we’re identifying community-based contributors and organizations who can keep immunization and PHC programs alive after external funding ends.”
