As the nationwide immunisation campaign begins March 28, the UN agency urges parents and stakeholders to sustain efforts against the virus.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged parents and stakeholders in Jigawa State to take swift action towards eliminating the polio virus in the state.

The agency made the appeal during a one-day Mass Mobilisation Dialogue with journalists and social media youth influencers, organised by the UNICEF Kano Field Office in conjunction with the Jigawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency on Monday.

The dialogue was aimed at mobilising support for the upcoming polio immunisation exercise, which comes barely four days before the nationwide campaign kicks off on Saturday, March 28, 2026.

Speaking at the event, the UNICEF Jigawa State Team Leader, Mr Jibril Shu’aibu, emphasised the crucial role of the media in mobilising communities for immunisation.

“The media plays a vital role in disseminating accurate information about polio vaccination, and we urge them to support our efforts in reaching every child in Jigawa,” he said.

“The dialogue meeting aimed to engage media practitioners and social media influencers in promoting polio vaccination and addressing misconceptions about the vaccine,” Shu’aibu added.

He also highlighted that UNICEF has been supporting Jigawa State in its efforts to eradicate polio, including deploying facilitators, volunteers, and community mobilisers to support the immunisation exercise.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Cluster Consultant, Dr Sabiu Muhd, provided an update on the polio situation in Nigeria. He noted that although the country was declared polio-free in August 2018, efforts are ongoing to eliminate remnants of the virus.