GAVI Donates $191m to Nigeria’s Healthcare Sector
The Federal Government of Nigeria has received a $191 million grant from the Global Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) to enhance the country’s health systems and reach 1.8 million children who have never received a single vaccine.
The grant, part of the Health Systems Strengthening (HSS 3) programme, aims to raise national immunisation coverage to 84 percent by 2028. The new funding phase was officially launched on Saturday in Abuja, with Gavi’s Director of Health Systems and Immunisation Strengthening, Alex de Jonquieres, making the announcement on behalf of CEO Dr. Sania Nishtar.
Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, represented by Dr. Kamil Shoretire, Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics, expressed Nigeria’s deep appreciation for Gavi’s continued partnership. “Gavi’s investments have saved millions of lives in Nigeria and enabled our immunisation programme to rebound from the impact of COVID-19,” he said, highlighting the introduction of critical vaccines including HPV, malaria, and Mpox.
Pate noted that Gavi’s focus on equitable vaccine access aligns with Nigeria’s broader goals under the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII). The initiative aims to save lives, reduce pain—both physical and financial—and ensure quality healthcare for all citizens.
He also emphasized that donor contributions, such as Gavi’s, will be matched with increased domestic funding and managed transparently. “The expanding health sector budget and mobilisation of local resources reflect our commitment,” he stated.
Reflecting on the achievements of HSS 2, Pate commended the leadership of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and other stakeholders for strengthening primary healthcare services nationwide.
He also credited recent progress to improved coordination efforts following the signing of the Health Sector Compact by President Bola Tinubu in December 2023 and the adoption of a Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), both aimed at minimizing duplication and waste.
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Pate thanked Gavi for its dedication to vulnerable populations and expressed confidence that the HSS 3 grant would further bolster Nigeria’s healthcare delivery.
Gavi, which has supported the immunisation of over 1.1 billion children globally since 2000—preventing an estimated 18.8 million deaths and generating $220 billion in economic gains—has played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s health sector. De Jonquieres noted that over 62 million Nigerian children have been vaccinated and around two million lives saved through Gavi’s $2.4 billion investment in vaccines and health system support.
He described the new $191 million grant as Gavi’s largest of its kind, building on a decade-long strategy with Nigeria that has introduced nine vaccines and expanded immunisation to 1.7 million zero-dose children. The collaboration has also reached more than 91 million children under five through targeted campaigns.
Significant infrastructure gains have been made through the partnership, including the installation of over 11,000 cold chain units, recruitment of over 3,600 health workers, and renovation of nearly 500 primary healthcare centres across eight states: Bayelsa, Gombe, Jigawa, Niger, Katsina, Kebbi, Taraba, and Zamfara. Vaccine logistics have been strengthened with the addition of motorcycles, buses, boats, and refrigerated vehicles.
The HSS 3 grant was developed through a consultative process involving federal and state governments, WHO, UNICEF, civil society, and the private sector. Nearly 80 percent of the funds will be directed to sub-national levels, with more than 10 percent supporting grassroots civil society organisations. Traditional leaders are also expected to play key roles in community engagement.
In addition, Gavi is investing nearly $100 million in a nationwide measles and rubella vaccination campaign—the largest in Nigeria’s history—targeting over 100 million children.
De Jonquieres concluded by stressing the importance of sustaining domestic investment and accountability in immunisation efforts. “Nigeria is on the cusp of transforming its immunisation programme,” he said. “Today marks the first step toward a future where no child dies from a vaccine-preventable disease.”
By PRNigeria
