The Kwara State Government is set to commence a poliomyelitis immunization campaign for children on March 29.
Dr Dupe Shittu, the Social Mobilization Officer, Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency disclosed this in Ilorin while speaking at a meeting with Media Stakeholders for March 2026 Polio Virus Outbreak in Kwara.
Shittu who spoke on “Epidemiology of Poliomyelitis”, said the state had recorded two outbreaks in areas that are security compromised.
According to her, two confirmed cases of Circulating Variant of Polio Virus 2 (CvPv 2) was recorded in Dec. 2025, in Kaiama Local Government, and an additional case in Jan. 2026.
Shittu stated that the vaccination exercise is an outbreak response to build immunity of children in the state.
She listed some of the LGAs with high risks to include Kaiama, Moro, Ifelodun, Ilorin East and Ilorin West, where she said massive immunization exercise will be conducted to curtail ongoing transmission.
“The immunization exercises will take place from Sunday to Wednesday, and also two to three days of mop-up exercise will be conducted for all children.
“The campaign scope is targeting children age zero to 59 months. It will include House-to-House, fixed posts and temporary fixed posts such as markets and religious places,” Shittu said.
She appealed to parents and caregivers to save the lives of their children by ensuring they are immunized, adding that the vaccine is safe and efficacious.
Also speaking, Dr Usman Danlami, the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), representative in Kwara pointed out that Kwara accounts for 11th of the Isolates in 2025.
Danlami explained that some states including Kwara, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi and Bauchi are grappling with confirmed cases of Poliomyelitis.
He added that there are nine confirmed cases of polio nationwide, while calling for all stakeholders to support the exercise for the nation to be polio free again.
The UNICEF representative warned that polio does not have treatment, except preventive vaccine.
Mr Ademola Enikanoselu, State Programme Officer, Chigari Foundation
appealed to all stakeholders including the media, religious bodies, market women, traditional leaders and care givers to assist in improving vaccine acceptance in the state.
Enikanoselu emphasised the role of the media in disseminating information and helping in combating misconception and assisting in mobilization and advocacy.
