World Polio Day: Nigeria urged to guard polio-free status against complacency

As the world marked World Polio Day on October 24, a renewed call for vigilance, collective responsibility and sustained immunisation efforts has come from the District Governor of Rotary International District 9111, Bukola Olabisi Bakare, who insists that no child should be condemned to a life of paralysis by a disease that can be prevented. For Bakare, the fight against polio is more than a public health campaign. It is a moral responsibility to protect children, spare families avoidable suffering and ensure that every child, regardless of where they are born or live, has the opportunity to grow up healthy.

• Victims of polio

Her message is particularly directed at parents, government authorities, community leaders and Nigerians generally, whom she urges to take childhood vaccination seriously and resist misinformation capable of undermining efforts to eradicate the disease. “It is heartbreaking that in this day and age, a child can still become paralysed because of polio. We have vaccines that can prevent this suffering, so why should any child have to go through it,” she asks.

Speaking from the perspective of both a mother and grandmother, Bakare says the thought of a child suffering from a preventable disease is distressing and should galvanise everyone into action. “As a mother and grandmother, I cannot imagine the pain of watching a child suffer from something that could have been prevented. This is why I am appealing to every parent to ensure that their children are vaccinated. We must protect our children,” she says.

• Bakare

Her appeal comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s remarkable progress in the fight against wild poliovirus, having been certified free of the virus in 2020. The milestone followed years of intensive vaccination campaigns, community mobilisation and collaboration among government agencies, health workers, volunteers and international organisations. For Bakare, however, that achievement must not become a reason for complacency.

While celebrating Nigeria’s success, she warns that the country cannot afford to relax its immunisation efforts, particularly as circulating variant polioviruses continue to pose a threat. “We celebrated when Nigeria was declared free of wild poliovirus, and rightly so. It was the result of years of hard work by health workers, volunteers, government agencies, Rotary members and many other organisations.

“But we must understand that being certified free of wild poliovirus does not mean we should stop vaccinating our children. The danger has not completely disappeared,” she cautions.

Her warning underscores the need to sustain routine immunisation, strengthen surveillance and ensure that eligible children receive recommended vaccine doses. The ultimate goal, she stresses, is not merely to celebrate past achievements but to secure a future in which no child is threatened by polio.

Rotary’s enduring commitment

Rotary International has remained a major force in the global campaign to eradicate polio. The organisation began supporting polio immunisation efforts in 1979 and launched its PolioPlus programme in 1985, helping to mobilise resources, raise awareness and build partnerships towards a polio-free world. Bakare says generations of Rotarians have invested their time, resources and personal contributions in the campaign, often working in difficult circumstances to reach vulnerable populations.

“For over four decades, Rotarians have given their time, resources and personal contributions towards ending polio. Some have travelled into difficult communities to support vaccination campaigns. Others have raised money, educated parents and worked with health professionals. “We have made tremendous progress, but our work is not finished,” she says.

She commends the contributions of the World Health Organisation, UNICEF, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, the Gates Foundation, government health agencies and other partners whose collaboration has sustained vaccination programmes across the world.

According to her, the progress recorded so far demonstrates what can be achieved when governments, development partners, civil society organisations and ordinary citizens work towards a common public health goal. Nevertheless, she maintains that the final stages of eradication require sustained commitment, adequate funding and the determination to reach every child.

Reaching the children left behind

A major concern for the Rotary district governor is the plight of children in rural, underserved and hard-to-reach communities, where access to healthcare and reliable health information may be limited. She argues that the success of the eradication campaign must be measured not only by the number of children vaccinated in urban centres but also by the extent to which vulnerable children in remote communities are protected. “We must pay particular attention to children in communities where healthcare services are difficult to access. A child living in a remote village deserves the same protection as a child living in Lagos, Abuja or any major city. We cannot afford to overlook these children simply because they are difficult to reach,” she says.

Bakare calls on governments at all levels to strengthen immunisation programmes, particularly in areas where children are more likely to miss routine vaccinations. She also acknowledges the dedication of frontline health workers and volunteers who travel long distances, sometimes under difficult conditions, to deliver vaccines and educate families. “I want to specially appreciate our health workers. Many of them leave their homes very early, travel long distances and enter communities that are not easy to reach, just to make sure children are vaccinated. Their dedication deserves our respect and support,” she says.

Beyond improving access, she believes that public confidence in vaccination remains critical to the success of the campaign. She therefore urges parents and caregivers not to allow rumours, fear or misinformation to deprive children of life-saving protection.

“I want to appeal especially to our mothers, fathers and grandparents. Please listen to qualified health professionals. When vaccination teams come to your communities, cooperate with them. Make sure your children receive all the recommended doses. Do not allow fear or rumours to put their future at risk,” she says.

Taking the message beyond health facilities

As part of efforts to expand public awareness, Rotary Districts 9111 and 9112 jointly organised a Polio Boat Regatta on October 17, 2026, to draw attention to the continuing campaign against the disease. Another initiative, the Polio Awareness Train Ride from Lagos to Abeokuta, is scheduled for October 31. Bakare says the event will provide another opportunity to educate the public, mobilise support and encourage more Nigerians to participate in the eradication campaign.

The initiatives reflect Rotary’s determination to take the message beyond hospitals and health centres to public spaces where more people can be reached. “We are using every opportunity to remind people that polio is still a concern. Whether through our boat regatta, train ride or community programmes, we want Nigerians to understand why vaccination is important and why we must continue supporting the fight against polio,” she says.

Bakare also appeals to corporate organisations, philanthropists and well-meaning Nigerians to support Rotary’s End Polio Now campaign, noting that financial contributions, public education and community mobilisation can all help sustain the effort.

She emphasises that participation in the campaign is not restricted to Rotary members. “You do not have to be a Rotarian to support the fight against polio. You can donate, help spread accurate information or encourage parents to vaccinate their children. Everybody has something to contribute. Even the smallest effort can make a difference,” she says.

She further urges media organisations to intensify public education on polio and childhood immunisation, stressing that accurate reporting can help correct misconceptions and encourage parents to make informed decisions. “As journalists, you have an important role to play. The information you publish can encourage a mother to take her child for vaccination. It can correct a dangerous misconception and help a family make the right decision. I am asking our friends in the media to continue supporting this campaign,” she says.

A future without polio

For Bakare, the ultimate reward for these collective efforts would be a world in which polio no longer threatens the lives and futures of children. She says she envisions a time when parents will no longer fear that their children could suffer paralysis from a preventable disease, and when future generations will encounter polio only in history books.

“I look forward to the day when we will no longer hear of any child being paralysed by polio anywhere in the world. I believe that day is possible, but it will not happen if we relax our efforts now,” she says.

Her vision is rooted in the simple belief that every child deserves a healthy childhood, the opportunity to attend school, play with friends and pursue a future free from the devastating consequences of polio. “As a mother, grandmother and Rotarian, I want every child to have the opportunity to grow up healthy, go to school, play with friends and enjoy childhood without the suffering that polio can cause,” she adds.

As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate World Polio Day 2026, Bakare’s appeal is directed at every parent, community leader, policymaker, health worker, journalist and citizen who can help ensure that no child is left unprotected.

“On this World Polio Day, my appeal is simple: please vaccinate your children, encourage others to do the same and support the efforts to end polio. We have come a long way, and we must finish the job,” she says.

Bakare reaffirms Rotary International District 9111’s commitment to supporting polio eradication and calls on Nigerians to join the organisation in making a polio-free world a reality. “Let us work towards a future where our children and grandchildren will only read about polio in history books. That would be one of the greatest gifts we could give them.”

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