Nigeria has received a $191 million Health Systems Strengthening (HSS-3) grant from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, aimed at improving immunisation coverage and enhancing the country’s primary healthcare infrastructure, especially in underserved communities.
Announced in Abuja by Dr. Alex de Jonquières, Gavi’s Director of Health Systems and Immunisation Strengthening, the grant is set to benefit 1.8 million zero-dose children—those who have never received any routine vaccines—and raise immunisation coverage to 84% by 2028.
Describing the initiative as one of Gavi’s largest investments globally, Dr. de Jonquières said the funding follows an inclusive planning process involving the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), state governments, development partners, and civil society organisations.
“Nearly 80% of the grant will go to states, while over 10% is allocated directly to civil society to ensure the hardest-to-reach populations are covered,” he explained.
De Jonquières commended Nigeria’s immunisation progress, highlighting over 62 million children vaccinated, two million deaths averted, and the successful introduction of nine new vaccines, including HPV and malaria.
Since 2000, Gavi has invested over $2.4 billion in Nigeria, contributing to the renovation of 493 primary healthcare centres, the hiring of 3,683 health workers, and the procurement of cold chain equipment and vehicles to boost vaccine delivery.
Despite this progress, he warned that Nigeria still bears the highest burden of zero-dose children globally and urged greater domestic funding, stronger accountability, and deeper collaboration.
He also announced an upcoming $100 million nationwide measles-rubella campaign in 2025 — Gavi’s largest in Nigeria — which will target over 100 million children.
“This campaign complements Nigeria’s Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) and broader health sector reforms, aiming for systemic, sustainable improvements in child health outcomes,” he added.
UNICEF’s Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Christian Munduate, called for health to be seen as a long-term investment. She urged stronger public-private partnerships, expansion of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), and enhanced training and conditions for health workers.
WHO’s Nigeria Representative, Dr. Walter Mulombo, reiterated the organisation’s support for reform grounded in equity, governance, and transparency. He stressed the need to reduce zero-dose rates, expand malaria and HPV vaccine coverage, and introduce the measles-rubella vaccine.
Running from 2025 to 2028, the HSS-3 grant aims to address gaps in health system resources, strengthen leadership, and expand access to quality primary healthcare, particularly for women and children in underserved regions.
