Korea, UNICEF unveil immunisation drive in Lagos

The United Nations Children’s Fund and the Government of the Republic of Korea have flagged off a major routine immunisation investment in Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State, targeting thousands of zero-dose children across Nigeria.

In a statement issued by UNICEF on Friday, UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Wafaa Saeed, described the initiative as a critical step towards closing immunisation gaps and protecting vulnerable children.

“Today’s event is more than a launch. It is a shared political and moral commitment to the right of every Nigerian child to lifesaving vaccines, regardless of where they are born or live,” she said.

Saeed disclosed that Nigeria currently has one of the highest numbers of zero-dose children globally.

“With an estimated 2.2 million zero-dose children, Nigeria has the highest number of children who have never received a single routine vaccine in Africa… These are real children, often living in fragile urban settlements, border communities, and hard-to-reach areas,” she said.

She stressed that the challenge is not due to a lack of vaccines, but issues of access and equity.

“This burden is not a failure of science. Vaccines work. Rather, it reflects enduring challenges related to equity, access and service reach,” she added.

The UNICEF official commended the Federal Government and health agencies for prioritising immunisation, noting that the partnership would strengthen healthcare systems and extend services to underserved communities.

“This investment is about strengthening systems… and ensuring that vaccines consistently reach every child, especially those who have historically been left behind,” she said.

Saeed reiterated UNICEF’s commitment to the goal, saying: “Today we raise the flag not only to mark the start of implementation, but to reaffirm a collective promise that no child will be left behind.”

Also speaking, the Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Lagos, Lee Sang Ho, said the initiative forms part of a global partnership aimed at improving health outcomes.

“For the entire duration of the project, the Republic of Korea will contribute $70m… out of which $5.6m has been earmarked for Nigeria,” he said.

According to him, the project will focus on 40 local government areas across Lagos, Ogun, Niger, Bauchi, Adamawa, and the Federal Capital Territory.

“The purpose… is to ensure that cases of zero-dose vaccination in children are reduced in selected targeted areas,” Lee said, adding that Nigeria’s inclusion reflects its strategic importance to global health security.

He noted that the programme would support vaccination campaigns, strengthen immunisation systems, and address social and behavioural barriers to vaccine uptake.

Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, said the initiative aligns with the state’s commitment to inclusive healthcare.

“This partnership calls us to align our economic ambition with an equally bold commitment to the health and well-being of our children,” he said.

Abayomi added that the state is focused on ensuring equitable access to healthcare services.

“We are committed to ensuring that, regardless of location or circumstance, every child has equitable access to quality immunisation and primary healthcare services,” he stated.

The Badagry flag-off highlights efforts to reach underserved border communities, as stakeholders emphasised the need for sustained collaboration to achieve universal immunisation coverage.