The Rotary International Foundation (RTF) has made a significant financial commitment, dedicating over $300 million in recent years to support Nigeria’s battle against polio. This commitment was announced by Mark Maloney, the Chairperson of the foundation’s Board of Trustees, during a symbolic polio immunisation event held on January 16, 2025, at the Jahi Primary Health Centre in Abuja.
The event highlighted the foundation’s ongoing dedication to global health initiatives and its strong partnership in Nigeria’s fight against polio. However, Rotary International’s contributions in Nigeria extend far beyond its extensive efforts to combat polio. The Rotary Foundation has also allocated $2 million to a groundbreaking initiative known as the “Programme of Scale.”
This initiative is aimed at addressing maternal and child mortality in underserved regions of the country. The program’s primary objective is to achieve a substantial reduction in birth-related deaths, with a specific goal of decreasing maternal mortality rates by 25%.
Emmanuel Lufadeju, the National Coordinator for the Together for Healthy Families in Nigeria program, explained that the initiative will incorporate a social and behavioral change strategy. This approach aims to encourage pregnant women to deliver their babies in healthcare facilities rather than at home, ensuring better access to skilled medical care during childbirth.
By shifting societal attitudes and practices, the initiative hopes to significantly improve maternal and child health outcomes in the targeted communities. Joshua Hassan, a former District Governor and Chairperson of the Nigeria National Polio Plus Committee, emphasised the critical role of grassroots immunisation efforts in achieving health milestones.
He highlighted the importance of national immunisation days, which are held twice a year across Nigeria, as a means of ensuring that vaccinations reach local communities effectively and comprehensively.
Over the years, the Rotary Foundation has invested over $300 million in Nigeria’s polio eradication efforts, making it a cornerstone of the fight against the disease. The foundation continues to call on the Nigerian government to maintain its focus on eliminating polio.
Emphasising that while Rotary has played a pivotal role in the progress made so far, sustained success requires active participation and commitment from the public sector. The foundation also expressed satisfaction with its ongoing collaboration with the Nigeria National Polio Plus Committee.
It commended the notable progress achieved by the Nigerian government, particularly the milestone of being declared free of wild poliovirus over four years ago. This achievement represents a major victory in global health and a testament to the power of coordinated efforts.
Looking ahead, the Rotary Foundation plans to finalise the exact allocation of funds for Nigeria’s 2025 polio eradication efforts in the coming weeks. Key decisions will be made during the International Polio Plus Committee meeting scheduled for January 29-30, followed by final approval by the Rotary Foundation trustees on February 8-9.
In August 2023, the foundation supported a large-scale campaign in Niger State, targeting over 2.6 million children with the fractional inactivated poliovirus vaccine (fIPV). This initiative is a clear demonstration of Rotary’s ongoing commitment to immunization programs and health initiatives across Nigeria.
Every year, the Rotary Foundation allocates tens of millions of dollars to global polio eradication efforts, reaffirming its unwavering dedication to the complete elimination of this preventable disease. Its continuous support for both polio eradication and broader health initiatives reflects its enduring mission to improve health outcomes and save lives worldwide.
