In a significant move to strengthen child health protection, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has issued stern warnings to schools and institutions that are refusing to allow vaccination teams on their premises during ongoing immunisation campaigns. According to FCTA officials, such actions not only endanger children’s health but also constitute a violation of Nigeria’s Child Rights Act, 2003—a law enacted to safeguard the welfare of every Nigerian child.
The warning was delivered by the Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, during a press conference at the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) in Abuja. Dr. Fasawe highlighted the seriousness of the issue and stressed the legal and moral responsibilities of schools, parents, and guardians in ensuring children’s access to life-saving vaccines.
“Reports we have received indicate that some schools within the FCT are denying our vaccination teams entry and, by extension, denying eligible pupils protection from measles and rubella,” Dr. Fasawe stated. “This not only puts children at risk of preventable diseases but also disrupts the daily implementation plans for our ongoing Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign.”
The practice of refusing vaccination teams, she argued, not only stalls public health progress but also directly contradicts the spirit and letter of Nigeria’s Child Rights Act. Sections 13 and 14 of the CRA explicitly guarantee every child the right to health and protection against diseases that can be prevented by vaccination, she explained.
“Denying a child the opportunity for vaccination is not just an oversight; it’s a direct infringement on their basic rights as enshrined in Nigerian law,” she maintained, calling for urgent compliance across the capital territory.
Progress and Collaborative Achievements in FCT’s Vaccination Drive
Despite the setbacks, Dr. Fasawe commended the tremendous strides made in the ongoing Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination exercise in the FCT. She described the campaign as an important milestone in the protection of Nigerian children from life-threatening illnesses, noting that “vaccination teams have reached most of the target population, thanks to the dedication of health workers and the robust partnership between the FCT Administration, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and our development partners.”
In a bid to further boost immunisation uptake, she said, the FCTA implemented new strategies—including linking access to free vaccines with enrolment on the FCT Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS). This measure, reportedly, is driving higher participation as families see additional benefits to immunisation beyond immediate disease protection.
Furthermore, the FCTA provided reflective jackets to at least 600 vaccination teams operating within the FCT’s six Area Councils—enabling easier identification, greater visibility in communities, and smoother access to schools.
Context: The National and Regional Push for Immunisation
The challenge in the FCT forms a critical part of Nigeria’s nationwide Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign, which was officially launched on October 6, 2025. The federal government has since intensified field operations and monitoring across 19 states, making sure no eligible child is missed during the exercise.
According to health reports, these efforts are designed to tackle vaccine gaps and lower the number of so-called “zero-dose” children—children who have never received even a single vaccine shot—by integrating campaigns with routine health services and tracking local compliance in real-time.
The push for widespread vaccination is in line with global health targets set by organisations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, which continue to warn against the risk of major outbreaks stemming from even small drops in immunisation coverage. Recent data from the Nigerian health authorities indicate overall improvements in vaccination rates but highlight challenges in some localities, especially in urban slums or rural areas with limited access to healthcare.
Enforcement and Policy Reforms for Non-compliant Schools
In response to rising cases of non-compliance, the FCT Health Secretariat has reportedly drawn up a list of schools and institutions that have blocked vaccination efforts. Warning letters have been dispatched, reminding these organisations of their responsibilities under the Child Rights Act, officials say.
Beyond warning letters, the Secretariat claims it is ramping up advocacy and engagement activities by launching targeted sensitisation campaigns in affected communities. This outreach will be supported by a three-day “mop-up exercise,” which will see 132 vaccination teams deployed strategically across all six Area Councils to ensure every unvaccinated child is reached before the campaign concludes.
Dr. Fasawe also announced a new set of mandatory requirements for all public and private schools in the Federal Capital Territory:
- Routine immunisation status verification for all children during admission, re-admission, or transfer processes
- Maintenance of a compulsory Child Health Register in each school
- Coordination with local Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) to conduct on-site immunisation clinics
- Frequent discussion of immunisation topics during assemblies and Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meetings
- Submission of regular, monthly compliance reports through the Education Secretariat to HSES
She stressed that disregard for these directives could result in administrative sanctions in line with FCT’s established Education and Public Health Regulations.
Acknowledging Supporters and Urging Wide Participation
While criticising non-compliant institutions, Dr. Fasawe took time to commend schools that fully support the immunisation campaign—singling out Stella Maris School, Abuja, as a model of good practice for its consistent cooperation with health outreach teams. “We urge other schools and administrators to follow their example. Immunisation is not just a policy; it’s an obligation to ensure our children grow up healthy and protected,” she advised.
She issued a renewed call to parents across the FCT and beyond, urging them to permit their children’s participation in all recommended immunisation programmes in line with the Child Rights Act. “Vaccines are safe, effective, and crucial for securing our children’s future. Each family’s cooperation determines how soon we eradicate preventable diseases,” she affirmed.
Expanding the scope, Dr. Fasawe used the occasion to assure communities and caregivers about the FCTA’s ongoing investments in health infrastructure, supply chains, and public education—key factors that, according to experts, are crucial for maintaining high vaccination coverage and preventing outbreaks.
“Our administration remains unwavering in its commitment to promoting the health of all children through continuous vaccination efforts and strict enforcement of public health laws,” Dr. Fasawe concluded. “We appeal to all school proprietors, administrators, and especially parents to join hands with government and health workers to uphold these essential rights. Immunisation saves lives; it’s our shared duty—legally and morally.”
Challenges, Reactions, and the Way Forward
Local public health advocates echo the FCTA’s position, emphasizing the devastating consequences that can result from even small clusters of unvaccinated children. According to Dr. Chima Amadi, a public health expert based in Lagos, “Hesitancy by a minority can undermine years of progress in disease prevention. When schools act as barriers instead of partners, the whole community can suffer.”
However, some school administrators have raised concerns about logistical issues, lack of communication, or fear of negative reactions from parents—pointing to a need for more frequent engagement and transparent dialogue. According to education sector observers, building trust between health authorities and school communities will be key to overcoming resistance and ensuring future campaign success.
Across Africa, similar vaccination initiatives have faced comparable hurdles. In Ghana and other West African nations, health authorities have linked immunisation efforts with grassroots social mobilisation campaigns, traditional leaders’ endorsement, and tech-enabled monitoring systems. These regional lessons may help Nigerian officials refine their approaches in subsequent drives.
Ultimately, effective immunisation cannot succeed in isolation—it requires strong schools, supportive parents, informed communities, accessible health systems, and sustained political will. The FCTA’s current clampdown serves as a reminder that laws alone are not enough: consistent enforcement and broad-based cooperation remain vital to achieving lasting public health gains for Nigerian and African children.
What do you think about these latest moves by the FCTA? Should there be stricter sanctions for schools or more community engagement? Drop your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation. Your voice counts in building a healthier Nigeria and Africa for the next generation.
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