Stakeholders on Monday urged the Federal Government to urgently release outstanding vaccine funds and ramp up investment in local vaccine production. They warned that funding delays are threatening Nigeria’s immunisation efforts and endangering the lives of millions of children. They said this at a press conference on immunisation financing in Abuja, themed “Future of immunisation financing: Leaving no one behind,” which was organised by the Vaccine Network for Disease Control in collaboration with the Global Health Advocacy Incubator. According to the World Health Organisation report in 2024, approximately 14.5 million children worldwide missed out on any vaccination, with Nigeria accounting for around 2.1 million of those “zero-dose” children. The Chairman of the National Health Insurance Authority, Dr Ibrahim Oloriegbe, highlighted the complexity of the vaccine supply chain and stressed the critical role of the cold chain infrastructure. “The cold chain is a critical part of that entire chain. Without proper storage and temperature control, vaccines lose their efficacy,” he said. While acknowledging the expected roles of state and local governments in vaccine delivery, he said persistent gaps, adding that that is where civil society and partners step in. He called for timely and dependable funding, warning that delays could cost lives. “A child born today cannot wait for the next quarter’s capital release,” he noted. A former House of Representatives member, Mohammed Usman, also decried the delay in vaccine financing. “It’s April 2025, and money for 2024 vaccines has still not been released. That is very sad. “Are we serious? With Nigeria’s population now over 230 million and growing daily, funding for vaccines must increase accordingly,” he stated. He urged President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate leadership by ensuring prompt disbursement of funds. “The President must lead by example. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate, is well-positioned to drive the reforms needed, given his deep understanding of community health needs,” he noted. He also called for stronger local government participation, especially as the country moves towards financial autonomy at the grassroots level. He also urged the Federal Government to restore Nigeria’s capacity to produce vaccines locally, recalling that the country had such capabilities in the 1970s. Usman made a strong case for increased investment in the sector. “What is N10bn compared to what Nigerians spend on things of no real value? We need N50 to 100bn for vaccine production. Without it, we’ll remain dependent, “ he said. On her part, the Executive Director of VNDC, Chika Offor, highlighted recent progress in vaccine financing, pointing to a breakthrough in late 2024. Offor recalled that in December 2023, the future of vaccine financing in Nigeria looked uncertain. She said, “Despite continuous advocacy through the Partnership to Reach Zero-Dose Children initiative, the 2022 and 2023 vaccine funds remained unreleased. “However, by December 2024, there was a breakthrough. The Federal Government released the outstanding funds and allocated 25 per cent of the 2024 vaccine budget.” Offor praised Mr Tinubu, Mr Pate, and Finance Minister Wale Edun for prioritising immunisation. She noted that the 2025 budget included N231.7bn for immunisation, malaria vaccination, and vaccine tracking, calling it “a significant milestone toward universal vaccine coverage.” She, however, said that with the exit of USAID funding and diminishing donor support, Nigeria’s vaccine financing is more vulnerable than ever. “If we do not act swiftly, we risk reversing the progress made in 2024,” she said. The Executive Director of Gem Hub Initiative and co-convener of the Joint Learning Agenda for UHC in Nigeria, Oyeyemi Pitan underscored the importance of ensuring that every child, especially those in underserved and remote communities, is reached with essential vaccines. As part of broader global support, she noted that partners are working through the Sustainable Development Goal 3 Global Action Plan, and are collaborating with the Nigerian government to identify and immunise zero-dose children while also reinforcing national immunisation structures.