By Ike Uchenna
A quiet revolution is taking shape in a country where public health challenges often seem insurmountable. Ministers or international donors do not lead it. Women are driving it—the First Ladies of Nigeria’s 36 states, who have banded together under the Nigerian Governors’ Spouses Forum (NGSF) to champion a cause that affects millions of children: the eradication of measles and rubella through mass immunisation.
With firm voices and clear purpose, these women are redefining what it means to be a First Lady, not as ceremonial figures but as active agents of change and health mobilisers.
Their tool? The Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine is a lifesaving intervention that experts agree is one of the most effective weapons against preventable childhood diseases.
*A strategic alliance
At the heart of this nationwide campaign is a powerful partnership between the NGSF and the Centre for Well-being and Integrated Nutrition Solutions (C-WINS).
This alliance was formally launched at the NGSF Secretariat in Abuja on December 5, 2024, laying the groundwork for what has become one of Nigeria’s most ambitious public health advocacy efforts in recent times.
Dr Nihinlola Mabogunje, Project Team Lead at C-WINS, captures the urgency of the mission: “This vaccine is not just a health intervention; it is an investment in the next generation. If we do not act now, we risk reversing the gains made in child health.”
Measles, she explains, is not a benign childhood illness—it can lead to pneumonia, brain swelling (encephalitis), blindness, and even death.
Rubella, though often milder, can have devastating consequences if contracted by pregnant women, usually resulting in miscarriage or congenital disabilities in new-borns.
As the campaign gained traction, First Ladies across the federation wasted no time rolling out state-level advocacy and vaccination drives.
It all began on February 17, 2025, when Ebonyi State First Lady, Mrs. Mary Uzoamaka Nwifuru, launched the MR vaccination campaign in Abakaliki. Her heartfelt message to parents was: “This vaccine is safe. It is effective. Let us do the right thing for our children.”
From there, the dominoes fell in quick succession. Campaigns were launched in Enugu on February 27, Bauchi on March 12, Bayelsa on March 13, Gombe on March 18, Abia on March 28, Nasarawa on April 7, Adamawa on April 8, Ogun on April 9, Ekiti on April 24, Zamfara on April 25, Jigawa on April 30, and Cross River on May 3.
In states where First Ladies were unavailable, like Akwa Ibom and Benue, designated government officials carried the torch, ensuring the message reached the grassroots.
In Cross River State, First Lady Bishop Eyoanwan Bassey Edet Otu was represented by Mrs. Queen Eton, who led the sensitisation campaign with dignity and determination.
“This is not just about numbers—it’s about saving lives,” she said.
One of the campaign’s key turning points came on February 22, 2025, when a delegation from C-WINS, led by Head of Mission, Dr Zubairu Mahmud, met with the Chairperson of the NGSF and Kwara State First Lady, Prof. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, in Ilorin.
The high-level engagement, which included representatives from the
National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the National Orientation Agency (NOA), and several health-focused NGOS, marked a new phase of coordination and momentum.
Under Abdulrazaq’s leadership, Kwara has emerged as a model for vaccine advocacy and equitable access.
She reiterated the Forum’s mission: “Our goal is simple—no child must be left behind. We are leveraging our platforms, trust within communities, and networks to make that vision a reality.”
The meeting produced several key outcomes, including commitments to engage traditional and religious leaders in combating misinformation, adopting state-specific advocacy templates, and assuring counterpart funding from state and local governments.
Strengthened partnerships with over 80 NGOs and the SDG Office to broaden outreach.
Nowhere is the impact of this campaign more visible than in Ebonyi State. According to WHO Surveillance Officer Dr. Elandi Dadi, the state saw a dramatic drop in measles cases, from 49 in 2022 to just one in 2024. He said this is a direct result of consistent public health messaging and robust immunisation efforts.
Ebonyi’s State Commissioner for Health, Dr Moses Ekuma, credits the early start of sensitisation and Nwifuru’s direct involvement.
“When leaders show up, communities listen,” he said. “The First Lady’s presence in rural areas has made a difference.”
The numbers tell a compelling story. According to Mr Nwodom Christopher, the State Immunisation Officer, 352,000 children between 9 and 15 months have been targeted for MR vaccination by the October 25 deadline.
The state has already commenced comprehensive awareness activities—radio jingles, school outreach, door-to-door mobilisation—laying the foundation for a successful campaign in 2026.
Beyond the needles and vials lies a more profound mission: to build trust in public health systems. Vaccine hesitancy, particularly in rural and underserved communities, remains a significant obstacle. But the First Ladies, as familiar and trusted faces, are uniquely positioned to break down these barriers.
Their work dovetails with the Renewed Hope Initiative of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, which also prioritises immunisation and maternal and child health as cornerstones of national development.
As the campaign unfolds, it becomes clear that this is more than just a health intervention; it is a movement.
It mobilises traditional rulers, community leaders, media houses, health workers, and ordinary citizens. It empowers women leaders to step beyond the ceremonial and into the critical.
The Nigerian Governors’ Spouses Forum and C-WINS have shown that transformative change is possible and possible with the right partnerships, targeted advocacy, and genuine community engagement.
As Nigeria marches toward a future where no child suffers from vaccine-preventable diseases, it will owe much of its progress to the unyielding dedication of these women. In a country of complex health challenges, they’ve chosen to be champions of immunisation, equity, and hope.
