Governor Ahmed Aliyu on Wednesday launched the 2026 Outbreak Response (OBR) polio immunisation campaign in Sokoto State, warning against the misappropriation of funds allocated for the exercise. He disclosed that 2,830 house-to-house teams have been deployed across all 244 wards to administer nOPV and bOPV vaccines to children aged 0–59 months, while fIPV vaccines will be given to those aged 6 weeks to 59 months. An additional 3,151 healthcare workers are stationed at fixed and temporary posts to deliver fIPV, and 488 special teams will target transit points, hard-to-reach areas and security-challenged communities. Children aged 0–23 months will also receive routine immunisation services during the campaign.
Aliyu directed all commissioners to monitor the exercise in their respective areas and called on local government chairmen and traditional rulers to support vaccinators. He emphasised that anyone found tampering with immunisation funds would be dealt with accordingly. The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruk Wurno, said Sokoto has recorded over 95% implementation of National Council on Health resolutions and noted improvements in immunisation coverage and reductions in child and maternal mortality. Development partners including NPHCDA, WHO, UNICEF, CDC and others commended the state's health sector commitment, particularly in infrastructure and funding. The Sultan of Sokoto, represented by Alhaji Kabiru Chigari, affirmed the Sultanate Council's support for polio eradication. The event ended with the governor administering oral polio vaccines to children.
Ahmed Aliyu's public warning against fund misuse signals a rare level of scrutiny over polio campaign finances in a state often plagued by accountability gaps. With 2,830 house-to-house teams and over 3,000 health workers deployed, the scale of this exercise means even minor fund diversions could undermine vaccination coverage in vulnerable communities. His directive for commissioners to monitor the process adds a layer of oversight that may improve transparency, but success will depend on whether enforcement matches the rhetoric. Parents in hard-to-reach areas stand to benefit most—if the promised personnel and vaccines reach them without delay.
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