New Incentives Expands Immunisation Support Programme Across Northern Nigeria

By Muhammad Sani Muazu

The New Incentives–All Babies Are Equal (NI-ABAE) programme has recorded significant progress in improving routine immunisation uptake across Northern Nigeria, with Bauchi State emerging as one of the programme’s major success stories.

Speaking on the initiative during his appearance on Albarka Radio audience participatory program Gatari, the Media Officer of New Incentives–All Babies Are Equal, Misbahu Elhamza, said the programme is implemented in collaboration with state governments in Northern Nigeria to encourage parents to vaccinate their children against preventable and disabling diseases.

“Our work is in partnership with Northern state governments to support routine immunisation. Our goal is to ensure that parents bring their children for vaccination to protect them from diseases that can cause disability or death,” Elhamza said.

He explained that the programme began in 2017, initially operating in only two states—Katsina and one other—with very few health facilities involved. However, due to the positive response and impact, the initiative has gradually expanded.

“I am happy to announce that today, the programme is operating in 11 states across Northern Nigeria,” he said.

According to Elhamza, New Incentives provides conditional financial support to parents who bring their children for routine immunisation. He noted that the incentives are meant to motivate parents and address minor challenges associated with vaccination.

“If a child develops fever after vaccination, we even support parents with money to buy paracetamol. The intention is not just the money, but to ensure children are fully immunised,” he explained.

Elhamza emphasised that community sensitisation is a core part of the programme, noting that staff regularly visit communities and wards alongside health workers to educate parents on the importance of immunisation.

“That is why we go into communities with health workers to create awareness. We are grateful to the Bauchi State Government for its strong support,” he added.

He recalled that when the programme started in Katsina State, health workers themselves confirmed a sharp increase in the number of parents bringing their children for immunisation.

“The health workers told us they were seeing large crowds of parents, and they were happy with the progress. That experience showed us that public enlightenment truly works, and that is why we expanded to more states,” Elhamza said.

Elhamza identified the challenge of zero-dose children—children who have never received any vaccination—as one of the reasons Bauchi State was prioritised.

“Zero-dose children are a serious public health risk. Bauchi is among the states with such cases, and we saw that this programme could help mobilise parents. Alhamdulillah, we are now seeing a significant reduction,” he said.

Also speaking, Ibrahim Bala, Assistant Field Officer of New Incentives–All Babies Are Equal in Bauchi State, said the programme has recorded strong cooperation from traditional rulers and community leaders.

“When we started, there were about 20 settlements with non-compliance issues. Today, because of sustained sensitisation, you will find that at most only one settlement still has challenges, and even that is being continuously engaged,” Bala said.

He stressed that communities are not abandoned, adding, “We continue to educate them and provide support, and we are already seeing meaningful change.”

According to Bala, routine immunisation acceptance in Bauchi State has risen significantly.

“Currently, immunisation acceptance is at about 87 per cent, and registration figures have even exceeded expectations. Return rates are also between 87 and 89 per cent, which clearly shows that progress has been made,” he stated.

Elhamza added that the programme enjoys full support from the government and the public, noting that any recognition or award received is secondary to achieving results.

“In November alone, we enrolled nearly 20,000 infants into the programme across 20 local government areas of Bauchi State,” he said.

He disclosed that the programme operates in almost all government health facilities in the state.

“About 99 per cent of health facilities in Bauchi State are covered. Parents receive ₦1,000 for each completed vaccination visit, from the first dose up to the sixth. When a child completes immunisation up to 15 months, the mother receives an additional ₦5,000, making a total of ₦11,000,” Elhamza explained.

Elhamza also noted that the programme prioritises local employment.

“We do not bring workers from other states. All our staff are indigenes of Bauchi State. Currently, 313 Bauchi indigenes are employed and paid monthly salaries,” he said.

He added that the Bauchi State Governor has commended the organisation for its work, acknowledging the role of field officers such as Ibrahim Bala in planning and implementation.

Explaining the operational strategy, Bala said that every health facility in the state is covered, including those in remote communities.

“If there is a health facility, we have a staff member working with health workers there. For hard-to-reach areas, we organise targeted outreach services so that no child is left behind,” he said.

Both speakers stressed that the programme adopts a respectful and dialogue-based approach in addressing vaccine hesitancy.

“Human dignity is important. Some people refuse vaccination due to lack of knowledge, while others have personal reasons. We work with health workers, community leaders, religious leaders, and traditional rulers to address concerns,” Elhamza said.

He cited misinformation, including claims that vaccines cause infertility or death, as major challenges.

“Some people said COVID-19 vaccines would kill people, but I took it myself and I am alive. You must give people time and understanding until they are properly informed,” he said.

Elhamza assured that there are no plans to discontinue the programme, adding that immunisation advocacy continues even when financial incentives are eventually phased out.

“Our message is always the same: even without incentives, parents should bring their children for immunisation. We have a structured and gradual exit plan that will not disrupt communities,” he said.

In his remarks, Bala expressed appreciation to health officials and local government authorities for their cooperation.

“I thank everyone from the directorate level to the PHC Directors, LGA officials, health educators, information officers, and traditional rulers in Bauchi LGA and beyond. Their support has been critical to the success of this programme,” he said.