News

2.2 Million Nigerian Children Unvaccinated — UNICEF

Published

2 years ago

April 21, 2023

An immunisation report released on Thursday by the United Nations Children’s Fund finds that 67 million children across the world missed out on either some or all routine vaccinations between 2019 and 2021, and 48 million children did not receive a single dose during this period.

The report showed that as of the end of 2021, India and Nigeria – with very large birth cohorts, had the largest numbers of zero-dose children but increases in the numbers of zero-dose children were especially notable in Myanmar and the Philippines.

India leads the world with the largest number of 2.7 million children with zero doses, followed by Nigeria with 2.2 million unvaccinated children.

New data indicates declining confidence in childhood vaccines of up to 44 percentage points in some countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, service disruption caused by strained health systems and diversion of scarce resources, conflict and fragility.

The public perception of the importance of vaccines for children declined during the COVID-19 pandemic in 52 out of 55 countries studied, UNICEF warned in the report.

These factors include uncertainty about the response to the pandemic, growing access to misleading information, declining trust in expertise, and political polarisation.

The report titled ‘The State of the World’s Children 2023: For Every Child, Vaccination’ reveals the perception of the importance of vaccines for children declined by more than a third in the Republic of Korea, Papua New Guinea, Ghana, Senegal and Japan after the start of the pandemic.

In the new data, collected by The Vaccine Confidence Project, China, India and Mexico were the only countries studied where the data indicates the perception of the importance of vaccines held firm or even improved. In most countries, people under 35 and women were more likely to report less confidence about vaccines for children after the start of the pandemic.

“In Angola, Nigeria and Papua New Guinea, a child from the wealthiest group in society is at least five times more likely to be vaccinated than one from the poorest group. The children who are not vaccinated are also often the children of mothers who have not been able to go to school and who are given little say in family and spending decisions,” the report showed.

“At the height of the pandemic, scientists rapidly developed vaccines that saved countless lives. But despite this historic achievement, fear and disinformation about all types of vaccines circulated as widely as the virus itself,” said UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell. “This data is a worrying warning signal. We cannot allow confidence in routine immunizations to become another victim of the pandemic. Otherwise, the next wave of deaths could be of more children with measles, diphtheria or other preventable diseases.”

The report showed that vaccination coverage levels are decreasing in 112 countries.

“Children born just before or during the pandemic are now moving past the age when they would normally be vaccinated, underscoring the need for urgent action to catch up on those who were missed and prevent deadly disease outbreaks.

“In 2022, for example, the number of measles cases was more than double the total in the previous year. The number of children paralysed by polio was up 16 per cent year-on-year in 2022. When comparing the 2019 to 2021 period with the previous three-year period, there was an eightfold increase in the number of children paralysed by polio, highlighting the need to ensure vaccination efforts are sustained,” the report read in part.

To address this child survival crisis, UNICEF is calling on governments to double down on their commitment to increase financing for immunisation and to work with stakeholders to unlock available resources, including COVID-19 funds, to urgently implement and accelerate catch-up vaccination efforts to protect children and prevent disease outbreaks.

News

Navy Opens Recruitment For Basic Training School Batch 38

Published

42 minutes ago

September 26, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Navy has opened applications for its Basic Training School (BTS) Batch 38 recruitment exercise, scheduled to run from October 2 to October 31, 2025.

According to an official statement, the recruitment process is free, and interested applicants must submit their applications online at https://www.joinnigeriannavy.navy.mil.ng/https://www.joinnigeriannavy.navy.mil.ng.

Successful candidates will undergo basic military training before being officially enlisted as Ordinary Seamen.

The Navy stressed that eligibility is restricted to Nigerian citizens by birth with a valid National Identification Number (NIN). Applicants must have no criminal record and must not be affiliated with secret societies, cults, or fraternities.

Educational and age requirements were clearly outlined. Candidates applying with O’level results must be between 18 and 22 years old as of December 31, 2025.

Those with OND/NCE qualifications must be aged 18 to 26, while Chaplain/Imam Assistants and Drivers/Mechanics must fall within the 18 to 28 age bracket.

In all cases, applicants are required to have at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics, obtained in not more than two sittings in WAEC, NECO, GCE, or NABTEB, with certificates not older than 2015.

The Navy added that special professions, such as Medical Assistants and Nurses, require proof of registration with relevant professional bodies.

Applicants for technical trades including tailoring, plumbing, carpentry, welding, and electrical works must present valid Trade Test certificates in addition to academic qualifications.

Similarly, candidates applying as sportsmen and women are expected to provide certificates and medals as evidence of their sporting achievements.

The recruitment examination is scheduled for November 29, 2025, at designated centers nationwide.

Candidates are required to bring their Attestation Form, duly signed with a passport photograph of the signer, along with valid identification such as a Driver’s License, International Passport, or National ID Card.

Applicants have been cautioned against multiple applications, which will lead to disqualification.

The Navy further advised candidates to seek clarification only through official communication channels provided on the recruitment portal.

News

BREAKING: Gov Fubara Dissolves Rivers Pension Board

Published

2 hours ago

September 26, 2025

Editor

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has dissolved the State Pensions Board with immediate effect.

Rivers State Head of Service Mrs Inyingi Brown made this announcement on Friday in Port Harcourt.

According to the governor, the office of the State Accountant General will handle the functions of the board until a new one is constituted.

News

FAAN Launches Cashless Payment System Across Airports

Published

3 hours ago

September 26, 2025

Editor

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has launched the cashless system of payment across all airports.

“FAAN in partnership with Paystack, is proud to announce the roll out of OPERATION GO CASHLESS, a cashless contactless payment solution across all airports beginning with Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja,” the agency said in a communique on Thursday.

Effective September 29, 2025, all payments at FAAN’s revenue points, including airport Access Gates, Car Parks, FAAN VIP and Protocol Lounges will go cashless which means the agency will be phasing out the collection of cash at these points.

FAAN added that travelers and airport users will now enjoy fast and seamless services by using a secure contactless payment option.

This initiative, it stated, is a response to the growing demand for safe, modern, and transparent payment systems while ensuring Nigeria’s airports remain aligned with global digital trends.

By reducing reliance on cash, FAAN said it aims to enhance efficiency, improve revenue assurance, and deliver a better customer experience at our airports.

To ease the transition, trained brand ambassadors have been deployed at access gates and around the terminals to guide users, assist with onboarding, provide demonstrations, and answer questions they may have.

In addition, passengers have been directed to obtain a FAAN Go Cashless Card at any airport access gate in Lagos and Abuja.

After collection, users are encouraged to activate and fund their cards immediately by visiting www.gocashless. faan.gov.ng.

FAAN added that it remains committed to continuous improvement and will expand this cashless policy to other airports nationwide in phases.

For inquiries, airport users have also been advised to contact FAAN’s support line at 0700 CBS FAAN (0700 227 3226) or email the agency at gocashlesssupport@faan.gov.ng.