By Khadija Abdullahi Yahaya
Kano State, Nigeria: In the lively markets of Kano City and the quiet villages dotting its vast landscape, a silent struggle unfolds.
With over 13 million people, Kano is Nigeria’s most populous state, yet many parents here hesitate to vaccinate their kids. Deep-rooted mistrust, fueled by history and rumors, has kept immunization rates low, leaving children vulnerable to diseases like polio and other child killer diseases.
But there’s hope! Local heroes, backed by UNICEF’s smart, community-driven efforts, are rewriting this story, one conversation at a time. Here’s how they’re doing it and what others can learn.
Why Hesitancy Persists
Walk through Kano, and you’ll hear whispers of doubt about vaccines. A 2021 study in urban areas found only half of adults were open to the COVID-19 vaccine, with many fearing side effects or questioning its safety.
These fears trace back to events like the 1996 Pfizer trial during a meningitis outbreak, which left a scar of distrust after alleged ethical violations.
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That skepticism lingers, affecting routine shots too—only about 35% of kids in Kano get the BCG vaccine for tuberculosis, well below the 80% national goal. For COVID-19, just 13% of Nigerians had a first dose by mid-2022, with northern states like Kano trailing due to hesitancy rates as high as 65% in some areas.
The stakes are high. Kano’s low rates fuel outbreaks of preventable diseases. Polio, once nearly eradicated, has crept back, and a 2023 study showed SARS-CoV-2 spread far beyond reported cases, partly because hesitancy hinders tracking.
Misinformation doesn’t help—rumors swirl that vaccines cause infertility or are a Western plot. Add to that spotty electricity, which spoils vaccines in clinics, and remote villages where health workers rarely reach, and it’s clear why parents hesitate.
As one local mom put it, “We want to keep our kids safe, but we need to know it’s okay to trust.”
Listening to the Community
Since 2012, they’ve trained nearly 20,000 Volunteer Community Mobilizers (VCMs) in Kano, people like Zahariyya Hamza, a mom who chats with neighbors at markets or naming ceremonies, gently debunking myths. These VCMs are locals, so they’re trusted.
They use tools like Open Data Kit to track who’s skipping vaccines and why, helping recover 75% of missed kids in recent polio campaigns.
UNICEF’s also tackling practical hurdles. In 2024, they handed over 28 solar-powered health centers in Kano, keeping vaccines cold and clinics running.
For a June 2025 polio drive, they supplied 39 cold boxes, 1,420 vaccine carriers, and nearly 3,000 ice packs to reach 3.9 million kids across Kano’s 44 local government areas.
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They’re not stopping at polio—UNICEF’s HPV vaccine push, launched in 2023, has reached over 12 million girls nationwide, with Kano leading thanks to local influencers and family testimonials.
Then there’s the trust-building. UNICEF works with Imams, traditional leaders, and even bloggers to spread the word in ways that resonate.
At a 2024 media event in Kano, they showed how real stories from vaccinated families can shift mindsets, contributing to a 70% success rate in northern child vaccinations.
It’s not about lectures—it’s about listening and meeting people where they are.
Real Change, Real People
The Tudun Wada Local Government Chief Community Officer (LCCO), Alhaji Shitu Sani, attributed the campaign’s success to the efforts of the Kano State Government under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, development partners, and community stakeholders.
“The Compliance Resolution Team, made up of ward heads, trusted community members, health workers, and ZLGA staff, worked tirelessly across the 15 wards to ensure eligible children were vaccinated.”
In Fanisau Ugongo Village, a mom who once refused vaccines due to rumors about side effects changed her mind after a VCM’s patient explanation. Now, she’s the one convincing others.
In Tsamiya Baba, new solar-powered clinics mean vaccines stay usable, cutting the number of unvaccinated kids by up to 25% in some areas. Programs like New Incentives, a GiveWell-backed charity, sweeten the deal with small cash rewards, enrolling 8 million infants by 2026.
Even Kano’s deputy governor, Alh. Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, got involved, vaccinating kids in Warawa during a 2025 campaign, showing the state’s commitment.
These efforts are paying off. Some vaccines in Kano now hit 70% coverage, a big leap from 35% for BCG. It’s proof that when you combine local voices with practical fixes, change happens.
Parents and caregivers in Dawakin Kudu LGA turned out in large numbers to ensure their children under five received the oral polio vaccine during the June 2025 immunization campaign. The effort led to the successful vaccination of 95,746 children in the area.
The statewide campaign, which kicked off in Bunkure, was targeted to immunize 3.9 million children across all 44 local government areas in Kano State.
Keeping the Momentum
To keep this going, Kano needs to double down on what works: train more health workers to handle questions with care, use social media to share success stories, and bring mobile clinics to far-off villages.
Schools and mosques could teach health basics to kids and parents, countering myths early. And incentives, like those from New Incentives, could nudge more families to say yes.
Kano’s story isn’t just about vaccines—it’s about rebuilding trust. Parents like Aishatu Mani, who once doubted but are now immunization champions, show what’s possible when communities lead the way.
As UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office Kano, Mr. Rahma Rihood Mohammed Farahs, said in 2024, “Vaccination is a process, not an event.”
With heart, hustle, and a little help from data, Kano is proving that even the toughest challenges can be met, one shot, and one story at a time.
This story is made possible with support from Nigeria Health Watch as part of the Solutions Journalism Africa Initiative.