The Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Board (BSPHCDB) has secured the release of ₦872 million into the Immunization Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Basket Fund for the 2025 fiscal year.
The Executive Chairman of the board, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, disclosed this on Thursday at the 2025 Bauchi State Zero Dose Learning Hub Annual Scorecard Validation Meeting in Bauchi.
Mohammed said the Zero Dose Learning Hub Community of Practice (CoP) has significantly reduced the number of zero-dose children in the state through targeted advocacy and stakeholder engagement.
He explained that these engagements had strengthened political commitments and improved financing for primary healthcare, particularly immunization.
The chairman added that the board had proposed a N40 billion allocation in the 2026 budget. He described the AHBN/AFENET Zero Dose Learning Hub as one of the most impactful interventions in supporting accountability, planning, and evidence-based decision-making in the state.
Mohammed said the newly developed scorecard would help track immunization performance, identify gaps, and support responsive strategies.
Earlier, Dr Hassan Shuaibu, the state Focal Person of the African Health Budget Network (AHBN), said the Zero Dose Learning Hub project is being implemented in Bauchi, Borno, Kano and Sokoto states with support from GAVI.
He explained that the project focuses on advocacy, budget tracking, stakeholder engagement, and accountability to expand routine immunization coverage, especially in underserved communities.
Mr Lawan Dauda, Chairman of the Bauchi State House of Assembly Committee on Health, pledged the Assembly’s continued support toward sustaining immunisation gains in the state.
Dauda said Bauchi accounts for 13 zero-dose local government areas, making improved immunisation financing a top priority.
He added: “Interactions with the Zero Dose Learning Hub and CoP helped lawmakers translate complex immunization data into actionable budget and oversight decisions. Evidence from scorecards and learning sessions strengthened our case for a dedicated immunization budget line and ensured it was protected during the 2025 budget process.”
Mr Mohammed Wanzam, Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, said immunization, as a flagship component of Bauchi’s pro-poor fiscal policy, aligns with the Lagos Declaration by northern lawmakers on ending the zero-dose crisis. He assured participants of the full commitment of legislators toward immunization funding.
Dr Hassan Musa, the state Focal Person of AHBN, thanked the lawmakers for their support and commended the BSPHCDB for providing reliable data. He expressed optimism that sustained political commitment would lead to lasting improvements in immunization coverage across the state.
