UNICEF reports a significant drop in circulating poliovirus cases in Borno State, with efforts to eliminate the disease continuing through vaccination campaigns and community initiatives, as stakeholders rally on World Polio Day 2026.
UNICEF says Borno State has recorded a fall in circulating variant poliovirus cases, with the number dropping from eight in 2025 to three in 2026, a sign health workers and partners say shows progress even as the virus continues to circulate. Francis Butichi, UNICEF’s Maiduguri field chief, made the announcement at a football match in Maiduguri organised for polio survivors to mark World Polio Day 2026, according to reports from Tribune Online and other Nigerian outlets.
Butichi said the improvement reflected the joint work of government officials, health workers, community leaders, volunteers, caregivers and development partners. He cautioned, however, that the situation remains far from resolved, stressing that three cases are still too many and that the longer-term aim is for Borno to report no polio infections at all. The match itself was presented as more than a sporting event, serving as a public reminder of the shared effort behind the push to eliminate the disease.
The UNICEF official also underlined the importance of stronger primary healthcare, arguing that children in every community, including hard-to-reach areas, need reliable access to vaccination and basic services. According to the reports, he said the polio campaigns planned for October and November would be an important chance to protect children and close remaining immunity gaps before World Polio Day on 24 October.
Butichi called on government agencies, local leaders, parents and caregivers to renew their commitment to immunisation, while also praising the Borno State Government, media organisations, polio survivors and other stakeholders for keeping up pressure on the disease. The latest figures suggest measurable progress, but health officials say sustained vaccination coverage will be needed if the state is to move from reduction to eradication.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
