Nigerian Government Boasts Progress in Polio Eradication, but Sokoto Remains a Concern
Nigeria’s National Economic Council (NEC), chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, announced a significant reduction in the new variant Type-2 Polio virus cases, dropping from 78 cases in 2024 to 42 as of August 2025.
The progress was highlighted during a meeting at the Presidential Villa, attended by state governors and key officials.
The meeting saw the presence of prominent leaders, including the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazak of Kwara State, and the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State.
Governors from Zamfara, Jigawa, Lagos, Anambra, Gombe, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Benue, and Ondo states, as well as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, were also in attendance.
Gombe State Governor and Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, Inuwa Yahaya, who briefed the press after the meeting, provided details on the polio eradication efforts.
“The committee was principally set up to see to the stoppage of the circulating virus two, which is a new variant,” he stated. This variant has been particularly prevalent in states across the North-West, including Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara. Gombe State also had a case in 2024.
According to Yahaya, the downward trend is evident, with the national case count falling by nearly half. Kano and Katsina states have been particularly successful, recording 85% and 84% reductions, respectively.
Gombe State has also made remarkable strides, reporting no new cases this year.
Despite the overall positive trend, a significant challenge remains in Sokoto State.
“Sokoto is at the back of the seat,” Yahaya said, noting that out of the 23 cases recorded in 2025, a staggering 13 are from Sokoto. This places the state at high risk and requires immediate and strategic intervention.
The NEC’s committee on polio will engage with the Sokoto State Governor to develop a new strategy. The goal is to ensure effective coverage and guarantee that routine immunization reaches every person in the state, curbing the spread of the virus and bringing Sokoto in line with the progress seen in other states.
The government’s focus is on achieving complete eradication and preventing future outbreaks.
