The Federal Government has achieved a major milestone in its immunization campaign, with more than 14 million girls vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV) and almost 30 million boys receiving the new measles and rubella vaccine over the past year.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, made the disclosure on Wednesday while speaking to journalists after the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said the feat was indicative of the current administration’s commitment to social welfare and human capital development, which he noted was embodied in the Medium Term Expenditure Framework 2026-2028.
Salako stated that adequate funding for primary health care and immunization will allow for further expansion of vaccination programs nationwide in 2026.
According to him, the renewed emphasis on the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) is enabling the government to revitalize primary health care centers across the country.
“More than 4,000 primary care centers have been revitalized and the plan to build an additional 8,000 remains intact as per Mr. President’s directive to make primary health care the cornerstone of our national system.”
Salako maintained that President Tinubu’s special interest and support has made it possible for his Ministry to implement innovative large-scale immunization campaigns, including the national HPV vaccination initiative aimed at preventing cervical cancer among adolescent girls.
He added that the rapid adoption of the measles and rubella vaccine demonstrates Nigeria’s ability to deliver high-impact public health interventions when adequately funded.
“For us in the health sector, today’s FEC was another opportunity to thank Mr. President for maintaining priority attention to human capital and social well-being. These interventions directly affect the average Nigerian.”
Also speaking to journalists about the deliberations and approvals reached at Wednesday’s FEC meeting, Minister of Information and National Guidance, Mohammed Idris, revealed that the Council also approved the creation of agricultural mechanization service centers to be spread evenly across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
The centres, once operational, will offer mechanized agricultural support aimed at boosting year-round food production and reducing reliance on manual labour.
The Minister of Information also revealed that for effective monitoring of capital projects, President Bola Tinubu, who chaired the Council meeting, has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to convene quarterly meetings with the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of Economy and the Economic Management Team.
Idris also revealed that the FEC approved the deployment of 4,000 telecommunications towers in communities across the country, under the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
He said the implementation is expected to significantly improve rural connectivity, stimulate trade and improve security surveillance in areas that currently lack network coverage.
“With millions of Nigerians still digitally underserved, the construction of 4,000 new towers will be an important step in closing the communication gap and supporting economic activity in rural communities.”
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