SCIDaR

Despite Nigeria’s success in polio eradication, gaps remain in routine immunization, zero-dose identification, and Primary Health Care (PHC) strengthening, especially with declining donor funding. Without sustained leadership and collaboration, hard-won gains could be reversed.

On February 7, 2025, the SCIDaR team, led by our CEO, Dr. Uchenna Igbokwe paid an advocacy visit to the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, and his team at the UN House, Abuja to explore ways to sustain progress in polio eradication, bolster routine immunization, and improve primary healthcare access.

The discussions reinforced the need for a unified approach; one plan, one budget, and one report, aligned with national priorities.

There was also a strong push for deeper collaboration on key programs like Polio Outbreak Response (POBR), Routine Immunization (RI) Zero Dose, SPARK, and SARMAAN, as well as capability mapping to prevent duplication of efforts and to expand partnerships beyond polio, particularly in the Lake Chad Basin.

Stronger partnerships mean more children immunized, more resilient health systems, and a future where preventable diseases no longer threaten lives. The work continues, because sustainability is the real success.

#SCIDaRImpact #PolioEradication #RoutineImmunization #StrongerHealthSystems #HealthSustainability

The world of work is changing. Is your career ready to keep up?

What skills will matter tomorrow? How do you stay relevant in a changing job market? And how can you build a career that goes beyond earning a living to making a difference?

These were some of the questions explored at the second SCIDaR × MIVA Open University Academic Discourse, themed “Future-Ready Professionals: Building a Career That Keeps Working.”

Led by Nora Igonoh, Head, Talent Strategy & Management at SCIDaR, the conversation centred on three things every aspiring professional should pay attention to:

Navigate Change – Recognise emerging trends and prepare for new opportunities.

Build Skills – Strengthen your human, digital and technical capabilities.

Create Impact – Use your knowledge and skills to solve real problems and make a difference.

The message? Your degree is a starting point, not the finish line. Keep learning, stay curious and never stop growing.

The Academic Discourse is part of the SCIDaR Emerging Leaders Programme (SELP), delivered in partnership with MIVA Open University.

#SELP #AcademicDiscourse #FutureOfWork #LeadershipDevelopment #SCIDaR #MIVAOpenUniversity

Angola’s fourth round of the National Integrated Vaccination Campaign brought together four vaccines to protect children against polio, measles, rubella and yellow fever.

Officially launched by the Vice-President, Dr. Esperança Maria Eduardo Francisco da Costa, on behalf of the President, the campaign reflects the Government’s commitment to strengthening immunisation and protecting children’s health.

The campaign aimed to reach more than 10.9 million children with four antigens: the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2), inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), measles-rubella (MR) vaccine and yellow fever (YF) vaccine.

Implementation has also highlighted the importance of sustained efforts to reach every eligible child. Following low coverage, particularly for IPV, MR and YF, the campaign was extended beyond its initial implementation period. Vaccination continues at fixed posts, mainly in health facilities.

To date, reported oral polio vaccine coverage stands at 108.3%. This is an encouraging progress signal, but continued attention to coverage across all four antigens remains important as the campaign proceeds.

#SCIDaRImpact #polioeradication #endpolio #routineimmunization

Advancing the push to end polio in Nigeria.

From October 19 to 21, 2026, the NEC Ad Hoc Committee on Polio Eradication visited Zamfara and Sokoto states to strengthen government commitment and support progress towards polio eradication.

Read more about the advocacy visits and SCIDaR’s technical support in coordinating these engagements.

🔗 Read more here: scidar.org/nec-advocacy-v…

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