CODE unveils initiative to reduce zero-dose children in Sokoto

Connected Development, in partnership with United Nations Children’s Fund, the Sultan Foundation and the Sokoto State Primary Health Care Development Agency, has launched the Sokoto Tracking and Accountability for Equitable Immunisation project to address the growing challenge of zero-dose children in the state.

The initiative was unveiled after a two-day stakeholders’ workshop held in Sokoto on Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing together government officials, development partners, civil society organisations and community leaders to strengthen efforts towards improving routine immunisation.

Funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, through its Civil Society Organisation Engagement Mechanism, STRACE will be implemented in seven local government areas identified as having a high burden of children who have never received any routine vaccines.

Speaking at the launch, CODE representative, Mukhtar Modibbo, said the project would deploy the organisation’s ‘Follow The Money’ social accountability approach to monitor vaccine distribution, track public spending and assess the quality of immunisation services in the target communities.

According to him, the initiative goes beyond vaccine delivery by ensuring that every eligible child is identified and reached.

“STRACE is not just about delivering vaccines; it is about ensuring that every eligible child, especially those who have never received a single dose, is identified, reached and protected.

“Through our Follow The Money methodology, we will track vaccine movement, monitor service delivery and promote accountability at every level,” he said.

Modibbo explained that the seven benefiting LGAs were selected using evidence-based data, noting that they account for a significant proportion of Sokoto’s zero-dose children.

He stressed that reaching children in those communities is critical to improving child survival rates and advancing universal health coverage.

He also emphasised the importance of community participation, saying traditional and religious leaders would play a central role in mobilising parents, building public trust and tackling misinformation surrounding routine immunisation.

“We recognise the influence of traditional and religious institutions. By working closely with them, we can build trust, counter misinformation and encourage parents to embrace routine immunisation for their children,” he said.

Modibbo added that the project would strengthen coordination between communities and health authorities by monitoring the entire vaccine supply chain—from state cold stores to health facilities and ultimately to children receiving the vaccines.

“Our responsibility does not end when vaccines arrive at health facilities. We will monitor the entire chain to ensure transparency, accountability and equitable access to life-saving vaccines,” he added.

He noted that Gavi’s support through the CSO Engagement Mechanism demonstrates a broader commitment to empowering civil society organisations to bridge immunisation gaps in states with low routine vaccination coverage, including Sokoto.

Health experts at the event described the zero-dose challenge as a major public health concern, warning that failure to vaccinate children increases the risk of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.

They maintained that expanding access to routine immunisation would not only protect children in Sokoto but also strengthen Nigeria’s overall health security.

Stakeholders expressed confidence that the STRACE project would improve vaccine coverage, enhance transparency in immunisation service delivery and ensure that no eligible child is left behind.