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All Babies Strengthens Vaccine Cold Chain Collaboration Across Northern Nigeria

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The All Babies program, implemented by New Incentives – All Babies Are Equal (NI-ABAE), convened a two-day Roundtable Meeting of Cold Chain Stakeholders on October 24–25, 2025, at Tahir Guest Palace, Kano State, to strengthen coordination and accountability within vaccine supply chains across its states of operation.

The meeting gathered 35 participants from zonal and state cold chain offices (ZCCOs/SCCOs), the Kano State Primary Health Care Board, NI-ABAE staff, and development partners to review vaccine stock trends, data systems, and distribution performance across 14 states: Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Katsina, Niger, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara—seven in the North West, six in the Northeast, and one in the North Central region.
The event was opened by the All Babies Stakeholder Relations Director, Nura Muhammad and moderated by the Senior States Partnerships Manager, Abdulwahab Yusuf. This is the sixth physical meeting since the roundtable series began in 2023, while monthly virtual sessions continue to sustain coordination across partnering states.

 

Clarifying “Stockout” and Improving Distribution

A key discussion clarified the term “stockout” as used in NI-ABAE data, which is defined as the unavailability of a vaccine at a scheduled immunization session—a last-mile operational definition.
Program Performance and Updates
During the technical session, Nana Ize, NI-ABAE Monitoring and Learning Officer 2, presented the Q3 2025 impact report, which showed continued progress in reducing zero-dose infants. Katsina and Zamfara recorded the sharpest declines, each with 40-percentage-point drops, while Kaduna recorded a 15-percentage-point reduction since the All Babies program was rolled out.

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As of Q3 2025, the program has enrolled 5,600,000 infants across 204 local government areas, supporting services in 7,128 clinics and 60,000 settlements. Since its inception, All Babies has encouraged over 85 million vaccinations and disbursed more than ₦32 billion in direct cash transfers to caregivers.
Abdulwahab presented a comparative analysis of 2024–2025 stock trends, highlighting national-level shortages of Rota vaccines, delays in redistribution, and incomplete reporting on OpenLMIS—Nigeria’s national digital vaccine-tracking platform.

Stakeholders resolved to strengthen real-time data visibility, improve the timeliness of OpenLMIS updates, and enhance coordination between state and LGA levels to reduce vaccine stockouts before the close of Q4 2025.

As a next step, participants agreed to work through the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) to advocate for increased transportation funding and logistical support to help health workers move vaccines from LGA cold stores to clinics. This approach aims to close the final gap in the vaccine distribution chain – the “last mile” – where most interruptions occur.

Resolutions and State Perspectives
Participants noted ongoing national-level supply constraints and confirmed that, following manufacturing delays, Rota vaccine shipments are expected by November 1, 2025.

Abubakar Hussaini, State Cold Chain Officer, Niger State, praised the All Babies program’s impact:

“All Babies has done a great job increasing vaccination awareness and turnout in Niger State. With their support, caregivers now come out in large numbers. We hope the program expands nationwide so every child benefits from these life-saving vaccines.”

The meeting concluded with the signing of a joint communiqué, including commitments to:Train RI providers on vaccine stock management.
State and zonal officers to increase supervision and ensure vaccines move promptly from LGA and state stores to clinics.

Implement Niger State’s ‘one-time supply’ model for hard-to-reach areas.
Enforce OpenLMIS compliance through weekly reminders and supervision.
Organize zonal coordination meetings in Kano to address facility-level pickup delays.

Through these resolutions, All Babies and its government partners reaffirmed their shared commitment to ensuring that every child, regardless of location, has timely access to life-saving vaccines.

ABOUT ALL BABIES

The All Babies program, implemented by New Incentives – All Babies Are Equal (NI-ABAE), is a child health program that increases demand for routine immunization in northern Nigeria through conditional cash transfers to caregivers. The program operates in collaboration with the state governments, local health authorities, and traditional and religious leaders to ensure every eligible infant receives life-saving vaccines on schedule. The initiative continues to strengthen Nigeria’s immunization system by combining evidence-based incentives, data-driven monitoring, and deep community engagement.

 

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JUST IN: National Assembly to Re-gazette Tax Laws Amid Controversy

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

 

The National Assembly has directed the Clerk to re-gazette four major tax reform acts and issue Certified True Copies of the versions officially passed by parliament, following public controversy over discrepancies in the published laws.

In a Friday statement, House Spokesman Akin Rotimi said the leadership of both chambers authorized the move to “protect the integrity of the legislative record,” describing it as an administrative step to accurately reflect parliamentary decisions.

The directive addresses growing scrutiny over the Nigeria Tax Act (2025), Nigeria Tax Administration Act (2025), Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act (2025), and Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act (2025)—particularly concerning harmonization of bills, documentation sent for presidential assent, and the versions eventually published in the Official Gazette.

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Rotimi emphasized that the legislature is addressing the matter within its constitutional authority. Last week, the House formed a seven-member Ad Hoc Committee to investigate the legislative and administrative handling of the acts.

“The Committee, alongside relevant National Assembly bodies, is conducting an institutional review to establish the sequence of events and identify any contributing factors,” he stated, noting the review will examine potential “lapses, irregularities, or external interferences.”

The process, he added, complies fully with the Constitution, the Acts Authentication Act, and parliamentary standing orders.

While the re-gazetting aims to “clear any ambiguity,” Rotimi clarified that the review “does not constitute, imply, or concede any defect in the exercise of legislative authority.” He also stated the action is without prejudice to other arms of government and does not affect existing rights or legal processes.

Reaffirming its commitment to constitutionalism and the rule of law, the House pledged to take “appropriate corrective measures” if procedural refinements are needed.

The public was urged to allow the institutional process to proceed “without speculation or conjecture.”

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Airstrikes: Activist Sowore Decries Reckless Breach of Sovereignty By the U.S Government

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has issued a fierce condemnation of a confirmed U.S. military airstrike inside Nigeria, labeling the action a dangerous breach of sovereignty and an “imperialist move” by President Donald Trump.

Sowore’s warning follows President Trump’s announcement on Truth Social that he had ordered a “powerful and deadly strike” against ISIS fighters in northwest Nigeria. Trump justified the operation, stating the militants had been “viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians” and that he had delivered promised retribution: “there was hell to pay.”

While the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed the strike was conducted “at the request of Nigerian authorities,” Sowore argued that direct foreign military intervention is a catastrophic precedent.

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“Nobody should be rejoicing about this,” Sowore stated. “The U.S. could help the Nigerian military, but U.S. military carrying out an attack inside Nigeria is extremely dangerous, reckless, and bad.”

He described the event as “a sad day for the so-called African liberation and Independence.”

The strike triggered panic on the ground in Sokoto State. Residents of Jabo village reported a sudden, loud explosion on Christmas night, with many fearing an imminent attack. “It happened suddenly… The explosion caused fear, but thank God it did not land among people,” one eyewitness said.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed gratitude for “Nigerian government support & cooperation” and ominously added there would be “more to come.”

The operation marks a sharp and controversial escalation of U.S. counter-terrorism activity in West Africa, raising urgent questions about sovereignty, foreign intervention, and the future of regional security partnerships.

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Nigeria Aides U.S in Sokoto Airstrike Against ISIS

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Donald J. Trump has announced that the United States carried out targeted military strikes against ISIS–affiliated militants in north-west Nigeria, marking a sharp escalation in American counter-terrorism operations in West Africa.

In a late-night statement published on Truth Social, the U.S. President said the operation was conducted under his direct orders as Commander-in-Chief, describing it as “a powerful and deadly strike” aimed at extremist elements responsible for repeated attacks in the region.

According to Mr Trump, the militants had been involved in brutal assaults on local communities, particularly targeting Christian populations. He said he had previously warned the group of consequences if the violence continued.

“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians… I have previously warned these terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was,” the statement read in part.

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He added that the “Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes,” asserting that the U.S. would not allow extremist groups to flourish under his leadership.

While the President praised the American military, he also issued a stern warning to the militants, saying there would be further consequences if attacks on civilians persisted.

Confirming the development, the Nigerian government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that it provided the intelligence needed to the United States government concerning the airstrike.

“In line with established international practice and bilateral understandings, this cooperation includes the exchange of intelligence, strategic coordination, and other forms of support consistent with international law, mutual respect for sovereignty, and shared commitments to regional and global security,” said the ministry.

It further stated that Nigerian authorities remain engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America, in addressing the persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism.

On the particular location of the strike in the northwestern part of the country, netizens, particularly from Sokoto State, have confirmed that a rocket landed in Jabo Ward, under Tambuwal LG of Sokoto State, Nigeria this same night.

Similarly, the United States Africa Command(AFRICOM), an organization responsible for the United States military operations in the continent, in a series of posts on X, said the airstrikes were launched based on requests of the Nigerian government.

“AFRICOM conducted a strike at the request of Nigerian authorities in Sokoto State killing multiple ISIS terrorists. Lethal strikes against ISIS demonstrate the strength of our military and our commitment to eliminating terrorist threats against Americans at home and abroad,” the statement reads.

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