The National Economic Council (NEC) has approved the proposal to strengthen polio vaccination coverage in Nigeria, which has increased from 81% to 84% with a focus on routine immunization.
The approval was given at its 151st meeting on Thursday, which was presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Plateau News reports that the council also approved the implementation of the Renewed Hope Medium-term plan 2026-2030.
The plan is seen as a key link between ongoing government reforms and the Nigeria Agenda 2050, the country’s long-term economic blueprint.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, who made this known while briefing newsmen at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, explained that the current development plan will end in December 2025, necessitating a seamless transition.
“The 2026–2030 plan will consolidate current reforms while addressing Nigeria’s new socio-economic realities. It will give shape to efforts around job creation, infrastructure, food security, human capital, and social protection,” Bagudu noted.
He said the process would draw from wide consultations, involving the three tiers of government, political parties, private sector stakeholders, civil society, youth groups, labour unions, and traditional leaders. To guide the exercise, structures such as a National Steering Committee and technical sub-committees will be co-chaired by representatives from both the government and the private sector.
Governors also gave input on how previous national plans were implemented. The Council commended the Planning Ministry for starting early and called on states to be active participants.
The Gombe State Governor, Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya, who heads the NEC Committee on Polio Eradication, explained after the meeting that cases of the circulating variant type 2 polio virus have dropped sharply in 2025 compared to last year—78 cases in 2024 to 42 so far this year.
Notably, Kano and Katsina states achieved reductions of over 80 percent, while Zamfara has recorded zero new infections. Sokoto, however, accounted for more than half of this year’s cases, with 13 out of 23 nationwide.
Governor Yahaya said vaccination coverage improved to 84 percent by June, with millions of children immunised in high-risk states. Campaigns also delivered other health services such as nutrition for pregnant women and malaria prevention.
NEC approved upcoming immunisation drives, including a September 11–14 campaign in high-risk states and a nationwide integrated vaccination campaign in October covering children under 14 against polio, measles, rubella, and malaria.
Plateau News