The Federal Government has committed to strong communication and advocacy efforts for the upcoming nationwide Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign, scheduled for October 2025.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, assured that the government will work with relevant agencies to educate Nigerians on the dangers of rubella and the importance of vaccination.
“You have come to the right place. The Ministry of Information and National Orientation exists to support and amplify initiatives like this,” Idris said.
He pledged collaboration with the National Orientation Agency and public media institutions to ensure widespread awareness.
“Today, I have learned a lot. Many Nigerians, like myself, may be familiar with measles but are unaware of rubella and its devastating effects. Children can be born blind, deaf, or with heart defects due to maternal rubella infection, a tragedy we must work together to prevent,” he added.
Urgency of the Vaccination Campaign
The delegation from Centre for Well-Being and Integrated Nutrition Solutions (C-WINS), led by Dr. Nihinlola Mabogunje, stressed the need for public awareness ahead of the campaign.
She highlighted that Nigeria accounts for nearly 20% of global measles cases, with the Northeast region bearing over 60% of the national burden.
“Measles remains highly infectious, causing severe illness, complications, and death, particularly among malnourished or immunocompromised children,” Mabogunje explained.
She also warned about rubella, which poses a serious risk to pregnant women. Contracting the virus in the first trimester can lead to Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS), causing blindness, deafness, and heart defects in newborns.
Ensuring Vaccine Safety and Public Trust
Mabogunje reassured Nigerians that the Measles-Rubella vaccine has been used globally for over 50 years, saving more than 94 million lives.
“To reach the target of 95% vaccination coverage, we need accurate, trusted, and consistent messaging, delivered through the channels that everyday Nigerians rely on,” she said.
The Minister directed his communication team to collaborate with C-WINS in developing culturally sensitive campaign materials for nationwide dissemination.
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