…Partnership Targets Zero-Dose, Under-Immunised Children
The Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB) and Save the Children International (SCI) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening routine immunisation and improving access to essential child health services across the state.
The commitment followed an official courtesy visit by a high-level SCI delegation, led by the organisation’s Country Director, Duncan Harvey, to the Board on Thursday, 17 September 2026.
The visit formed part of Save the Children’s global leadership tour of Nigeria to assess the impact of its BOOST Project — Better Opportunities for Optimal Services and Targeted Immunisation for Zero-Dose and Under-Immunised Children and identify strategic priorities for child health in Lagos State.
Receiving the delegation, the Permanent Secretary of the LSPHCB, Dr Ibrahim Mustafa, appreciated Save the Children International for its continued support to the state’s health sector.
Dr Mustafa noted that although Lagos remains one of Nigeria’s highest investors in healthcare and child nutrition, its unique demographic pressures require sustained collaboration with development partners.
He said Lagos’ position as a major commercial centre and cross-border transit hub had contributed to significant population movement into the state, with new communities emerging rapidly, particularly in densely populated areas such as Alimosho and Ikorodu.
According to him, the scale of population growth means Lagos has the highest absolute number of children requiring routine immunisation in the country, making sustained support essential to meeting the growing demand for vaccination services.
LSPHCB seeks support for cold-chain infrastructure
Dr Mustafa identified the expansion of cold-chain infrastructure as one of the areas where additional support could significantly strengthen immunisation delivery.
He explained that the state had plans to expand its cold-store capacity but would benefit from additional technical and equipment support from development partners to ensure vaccines are properly stored and maintain their potency, particularly as immunisation services expand into newly established communities.
The Permanent Secretary also called on SCI to share real-time findings from its field assessments with the Board to enable the state to identify emerging gaps and deploy targeted interventions promptly.
In his response, Harvey commended the Lagos State Government for its commitment to child health and nutrition, describing the state’s investments as a notable example of efforts to strengthen routine immunisation delivery.
He said Save the Children was keen to examine Lagos’ operational strategies and documented successes during its field assessment, with a view to identifying approaches that could potentially be adapted in other states where the organisation operates.
SCI, LSPHCB to assess immunisation services in Ikorodu
Following the strategic engagement, the SCI leadership and health officials are scheduled to visit Agbede Primary Health Centre in Ikorodu Local Government Area for a field assessment.
The visit is expected to provide an opportunity for the delegation to observe routine immunisation sessions, assess facility-level cold-chain storage and engage with community members accessing primary healthcare services.
The assessment will also provide an opportunity for both organisations to identify operational gaps and explore practical measures for reaching zero-dose and under-immunised children, particularly in rapidly growing communities across Lagos State.
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