THE Rotary Foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating polio in Nigeria, with a staggering investment of over $300 million in recent years.
Mark Maloney, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, made this announcement during a symbolic polio immunization event at the Jahi Primary Health Centre in Abuja.
Maloney emphasiSed the significance of continued efforts to eradicate polio, particularly in Nigeria, where 93 cases of Circulating Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) were reported in 2024.
Despite being declared wild polio virus-free in 2020, the country still faces challenges in combating vaccine-derived polio type 2.
Rotary International has been a crucial partner in Nigeria’s polio eradication efforts, allocating “tens of millions of dollars” annually to support initiatives primarily through the World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The exact amount for Nigeria’s 2025 allocation will be finalised after the International Polio Plus Committee meeting scheduled for 29-30 January.
In addition to its polio eradication efforts, Rotary Foundation has also committed $2 million to the “Programme of Scale,” a project aimed at reducing maternal and child mortality in Nigeria.
The initiative seeks to decrease birth-related mortality, particularly in underserved districts, by implementing social behavioral change initiatives and encouraging women to give birth in healthcare facilities rather than at home.
Rotary’s projects in Nigeria are tailored to the specific needs of local communities, involving collaboration between local Rotarians and their international counterparts.
As Maloney noted, “Polio eradication remains Rotary’s number one global priority.”