Gombe Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya on Thursday met with a delegation from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation led by Global Polio Director Kathy Neuzil to strengthen collaboration on polio eradication efforts across northern Nigeria.
The meeting, held at the Gombe Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, focused on improving immunization coverage in hard-to-reach and security-compromised communities. Both sides discussed strategies to improve security coordination, deepen community mobilization, and strengthen monitoring frameworks with clear timelines to accelerate progress toward a polio-free Nigeria.
As Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) and the National Economic Council (NEC) Polio Eradication Committee, Governor Yahaya reaffirmed his commitment to boosting nationwide efforts to eliminate the disease. He recognized that insecurity is a major barrier to effective field operations and highlighted the need for sustained alliances with development partners.
“In fact, some states face serious security challenges that prevent field workers from reaching certain communities,” he said. “As chair of the NEC Polio Eradication Committee, I will continue to engage my colleagues and relevant security agencies to strengthen access. If special security measures are required to protect healthcare workers, we are fully prepared to facilitate this.”
The Governor noted that new safety strategies are already being implemented and expressed confidence that they would improve accessibility and ensure the safety of frontline vaccinators ahead of the next round of immunization campaigns. He also referenced the “Gombe model”, which emphasizes community ownership, coordinated structures and strong political will, as an approach that could be replicated across the region.
In her remarks, Kathy Neuzil expressed concern over the limited access to many vulnerable communities due to insecurity and called for continued collaboration with Governor Yahaya in his dual role. He emphasized the need for political commitment with state leaders and security agencies to ensure field workers can safely administer vaccines.
Neuzil commended the Governor’s leadership and the significant progress made in Gombe State, noting that donors pay close attention to indicators such as political commitment, community participation and measurable milestones.
“We praise Gombe’s remarkable political will,” he said. “Working together with state governments, especially under their leadership in the NSGF, gives us confidence that the remaining gaps can be closed.”
The meeting was attended by the Gombe State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Habu Dahiru; GoHealth Executive Secretary, Dr. Abubakar Musa; and the Executive Secretary of Gombe State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Abdulrahman Shuaibu.
The Gates Foundation delegation included Kathy Neuzil, Global Polio Director; Yusuf Yusufari, Deputy Director; and Andrew Stein, assistant principal.
The details are contained in a statement by Ismaila Uba Misilli, Director General of Press Affairs, Government House, Gombe.