…….Senator Banigo leads launch as 13 lawmakers pledge legislative support for vaccine and health sector funding
ABUJA, Nigeria — In a decisive move to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system, 13 federal lawmakers have been inaugurated into the newly established Parliamentary Caucus on Immunization and Primary Healthcare (PHC) Financing, tasked with advancing sustainable and predictable funding for immunization and primary healthcare services across the country.
The inauguration, which took place during the Multi-Stakeholder Technical Workshop on Optimizing Immunization Financing in Nigeria 2.0, follows the momentum generated by the earlier Asia-Africa Parliamentary Forum held in Istanbul. That forum, co-convened by the Global Health Advocacy Incubator and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, called on national parliaments to take stronger leadership roles in health financing.
Senator Ipalibo Harry Banigo, a strong advocate for health system strengthening, presided over the inauguration and emphasized the importance of consolidating legislative action to ensure Nigeria meets its immunization coverage goals and health security targets.
The newly formed Caucus will be chaired by Hon. Magaji Amos, and is mandated to:
Champion predictable and sustainable immunization financing in Nigeria.
Lead high-level advocacy for increased domestic budget allocations to immunization and PHC, recognizing them as vital to national health security.
Enhance legislative oversight to ensure the efficient use of public resources and improved health outcomes.
“This is not just a commitment on paper,” said Hon. Magaji. “We are taking responsibility to drive long-term change in how Nigeria funds and monitors its immunization and primary healthcare programmes.”
Full List of Inaugurated Members:
1. Hon. Magaji Amos – Chair
2. Sen. Ibrahim Lamido
3. Sen. Tony Nwoye
4. Sen. Samiala Dahuwa Kaila
5. Hon. Paul Gowon Haruna
6. Hon. Bassey Ekpeyong Akiba
7. Hon. Iyortyom Sekav
8. Hon. Uchenna H. Okonkwo
9. Dr. Martins Oke
10. Dr. Wale Ahmed
11. Dr. Dawadu Bashiru
12. Dr. Madalla Bilami
13. Dr. Iyang Emil
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The establishment of this caucus is seen as a critical political step to unlock greater public investment in Nigeria’s immunization programmes and PHC infrastructure, particularly in the face of rising health challenges and vaccine-preventable diseases.
Stakeholders from government, civil society, and international health partners at the workshop praised the development as a bold stride toward legislative accountability and health equity.
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