Nigeria certified polio-free

The Africa Regional Certification Commission (ARCC) for polio eradication has certified Nigeria polio-free while accepting the completed documentation for Wild Polio Virus (WPV) free status.

This is milestone for Nigeria, Africa and the global Polio Programme.

It also means no child will ever be paralysed again from any type of polio virus.

No case of WPV has been reported in Nigeria for over three years.

The Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, made the announcement in a statement via his Twitter handle.

He said: “Nigeria achieving a Wild Polio Virus-free status today, is significant on multiple fronts. I look back at the incredible leadership that has brought us here and apart from President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, the two most important people who have made it possible due to their financial and technological contributions have been Mr. Aliko Dangote and Mr. Bill Gates. Thanks for this unquantifiable gift to Nigeria.

“Amazing moment in history to have had our polio-eradication documentation accepted by the African Regional Certification Committee (ARCC). The Nigeria team led by NPHCDA and partners demonstrated evidence of our polio-free status.

Read Also: Rotary launches campaign against polio

“The leadership provided by Mr. President, our traditional and religious leaders, our indefatigable partners, past Presidents, Ministers, ED/CEOs of NPHCDA/NPI, leaders in the public health space, the media, polio victims, parents and many too numerous to mention.

“What a proud moment for us and indeed all Nigerians, as we defended the country’s complete documentation towards being declared a Polio-free nation, at the virtual 25th meeting of African Regional Commission for the Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication (ARCC).”

Shuaib led the Polio Expert Committees and Polio Programme Managers to defend the country’s Complete Documentation for a Polio free status at the virtual 25th meeting of African Regional Commission for the Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication (ARCC).

Nigeria used to be one of three remaining four countries in Africa-Central Africa Republic, South Sudan, Cameroon- yet to have documentation accepted for Polio certification.