Bill Gates, Chair of the Gates Foundation, has advised the Federal Government to maintain its longstanding commitment to ending polio transmission in the country.
Gates made this statement during a media roundtable with selected journalists on Wednesday in Lagos.
He stressed that with the tightening of global funding, it’s more important than ever that Nigeria keeps up the momentum of polio eradication.
“Now is not the time to stop because unfortunately, the virus is still circulating, and we need stronger action especially in Sokoto, Kano, Katsina, and Kebbi states,” Gates said.
Urgent call for sustained government and partner collaboration
He emphasized the urgent need for the government to continue its longstanding commitment alongside partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) and the heroic efforts of frontline health workers to end polio transmission.
Gates noted that the emergence of variant polio cases remains a serious challenge and can fuel doubts about vaccine safety.
“That’s why we are supporting Nigerian-led and GPEI partners like UNICEF and WHO to engage affected communities directly, building trust through transparent communication, listening to concerns, and working with local leaders to dispel misinformation.
“That’s what we need to do more, and the key to stopping outbreaks lies in rapid, high-quality response campaigns and closing immunity gaps,” he added.
Routine immunization is key to a polio-free world
He highlighted the importance of robust routine immunization coverage to achieve and sustain a polio-free world, increasing population immunity and reducing the immediate and long-term risk of polio.
According to him, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is a key partner in this effort, financing the provision of the inactivated polio vaccine in lower-income countries.
“The world is in the final sprint to end this horrific disease, and Nigeria is key to that success.
“With strong investments and partnerships, I am confident we will bring about a world where no child faces the threat of polio,” he said.
Gates acknowledged the Nigerian government’s efforts and progress, disclosing that polio detections in Nigeria reduced by about 40% in Q1 2025 compared to the same time last year.
“We have also seen some useful improvements in the April immunization campaign. These are positive outcomes from all the hard work the government and partners have been doing,” he said.
Sustained surveillance is critical to prevent future outbreaks
The philanthropist noted that Africa’s success in eradicating wild poliovirus is a major public health achievement made possible by strong government leadership, sustained surveillance, and effective partnerships.
“But we must understand that ongoing disease surveillance will play a vital role in detecting and rapidly responding to new outbreaks,” he said.
What you should know
Polio (poliomyelitis) is an infectious disease caused by a virus that invades the nervous system and can lead to irreversible paralysis.
- While polio can affect individuals of any age, it primarily targets children under the age of five.
- There is no cure for polio. The disease can only be prevented through effective and consistent vaccination.
- Nigeria was declared free of wild poliovirus in 2020, marking a major public health milestone.
- Despite this achievement, Nigeria has experienced a resurgence of polio, reporting 122 confirmed cases of circulating poliovirus type 2 (cVPV2) between January 2024 and March 10, 2025.
These recent cases have occurred mainly in the northern states, where transmission has persisted.
The persistence of cVPV2 highlights the ongoing challenge of polio eradication in Nigeria. The government is now considering new measures to combat the outbreak and close immunity gaps.
