In Kebbi State, Surajuddeen Lukman has seen how delayed or incomplete information can slow a public health response.
“In Kebbi State, I have seen how delayed or incomplete data can affect response efforts. This training is helping me better analyse information so health teams can reach communities faster and protect more children,” she said.
Lukman is one of 62 data and information management officers taking part in a two-week training in Akwanga, Nasarawa State. Participants come from Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, across all six geopolitical zones.
Behind every data point is a child who could be missed during a vaccination campaign. A late report, an outdated settlement map or an incomplete record can make it harder for vaccination teams to know where children still need protection.
The training is helping officers use reliable information to identify these gaps, guide vaccination teams and support faster follow-up.
Finding missed children faster
Nigeria and the African Region were certified free of wild poliovirus in August 2020, after more than four years without detecting wild poliovirus type 1. But circulating variant polioviruses, known as cVPV, remains a concern.
The training comes as Nigeria continues its efforts to interrupt cVPV2 and cVPV3 transmission and maintain high-quality disease surveillance.
Participants are strengthening their data management skills in surveillance, routine immunization reporting, supplementary immunization activities, in-between round activities, data quality checks, and mapping and location-based analysis.
They are also learning to use District Health Information Software 2, R programming and quantum geographic information system (QGIS). These tools can help officers track trends, update dashboards, map settlements and identify communities that may need additional vaccination support.
“Data helps us see where the risks are and where support is needed,” said Dr Kofi Boateng, Polio Eradication Programme Cluster Lead at WHO Nigeria. “When state and zonal teams can analyse information quickly, they can better guide field teams, follow up on missed settlements and support faster response.”
Previous immunization activities in Nigeria have used campaign information to reach zero-dose children and children living in insecure settlements.
Supporting national health priorities
The initiative supports government-led work through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, state primary health care authorities and polio eradication partners.
It contributes to the implementation of Nigeria’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the Sector-Wide Approach. These national frameworks seek to strengthen primary health care and accelerate progress towards universal health coverage.
The Sector-Wide Approach identifies accelerated immunization for priority antigens, including polio, and reaching zero-dose children as national priorities.
Speaking during the training, WHO Representative to Nigeria, Dr Pavel Ursu said strong health programmes depend on reliable information and the people who manage it.
“Strong health programmes rely on strong data. When health teams have timely and accurate information, they can identify gaps faster, direct resources where they are most needed and support communities that might otherwise be missed. Strengthening the skills of data officers supports ongoing efforts to improve immunization, disease surveillance and emergency response across Nigeria.”
Dr Ursu noted that stronger data management can support not only polio eradication but also primary health care, disease detection and emergency response.
Learning from experience
Conditions vary across Nigeria. Insecurity, population movement, difficult terrain and poor connectivity can delay reporting. Some teams also face challenges linking campaign results with settlement maps and routine immunization records.
“The sessions equipped me to be more efficient in data collation and analysis while providing timely feedback to health facilities, directly strengthening service delivery on the ground,” said Shola Benjamin Oyeniyi, a data and information management officer from Jigawa State.
Oluwafemi Emmanuel, from Borno State, said: “My role goes beyond reporting to ensuring data drives decisions. Focusing on supplementary immunization activities, in-between round activities and data quality helps us allocate resources based on evidence rather than assumptions.”
From training to action
Each participant will return to their duty station with a 90-day action plan.
Expected results include faster and more complete reporting, improved data quality, updated settlement maps and earlier identification of communities requiring additional vaccination support.
Progress will be assessed through monthly reviews led by Polio Eradication Project data team lead. Proposed indicators include reporting timeliness, completeness, data quality, dashboard use, mapping updates and completion of corrective actions.
Of the 62 participants, 6 were females and 56 were males.
The training was supported by AFRO, through the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.
As participants return to their states, the expected result is not simply better reports. It is better information for action. Stronger data systems can help identify missed children faster, support more targeted vaccination efforts and strengthen Nigeria’s progress towards a polio-free future and improved primary health care for all.
Sustaining a polio-free future requires continued investment in reliable health information systems, skilled personnel and coordinated action. Through government-led efforts supported by WHO and partners, trained data officers are turning information into action that helps ensure every child is reached with life-saving vaccines.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.
Follow the story
