VNDC Trains Stakeholders on Advocacy, Resource Mobilization to Eliminate Zero-Dose Children in Nigeria
Ojoma Yusuf,Yola
The Vaccine Network for Disease Control (VNDC) has organized a one-day capacity-building workshop in Yola, Adamawa State, aimed at training stakeholders on advocacy and domestic resource mobilization to improve immunization and primary healthcare delivery.
The training, which targeted Advocacy Working Group members, focused on equipping participants with the skills to conduct quantitative surveys and support strategies for increasing domestic budget allocation for immunization.
The project is part of a broader initiative covering five Nigerian states Taraba, Gombe, Adamawa, Kano, and Bauchi—with support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), an organization founded by GAVI.
Speaking to the press, VNDC’s Head of Programs, Chika Nwankwo, said the core objective of the workshop is to build stakeholder capacity to mobilize domestic resources and enhance advocacy efforts to eliminate zero-dose cases children who have never received any routine vaccination.
Nwankwo explained that participants were trained on data collection methodologies and how to implement pilot surveys to gather critical insights that will inform better decision-making and resource planning at sub-national levels.
Janet Joseph AbahJanet,Program Officer at VNDC, presented an overview of the PREACH Project (Promoting Routine and Equitable Access to Child Health), emphasizing the need to strengthen Technical Working Groups (TWGs) across states.
She reiterated the importance of collaboration between government and civil society organizations (CSOs) to ensure effective checks and balances in vaccine advocacy and service delivery.
“Strengthening domestic resource mobilization and building functional technical working groups is essential for sustainability,” Abah stated. “CSOs play a vital role in holding systems accountable and providing support where needed.”
In his remarks, Aminu Mellum, Adamawa State Coordinator for VNDC, expressed gratitude to stakeholders for their participation.
He called for continued collaboration to push Adamawa out of the zero-dose category, urging participants to take the message back to their respective organizations and communities.
The training concluded with group breakout sessions, where participants mapped out potential private sector partners that could support the state’s immunization efforts.
According to recent data, Nigeria remains one of the countries with the highest number of zero-dose children over 2.2 million placing them at high risk of vaccine-preventable diseases.
Experts at the event stressed that timely and complete immunization is crucial to safeguarding children’s health and preventing disease outbreaks nationwide.
