By Lizzy Carr
The Bauchi State Commissioner for Budget, Economic Planning, and Multilateral Coordination, Amina Katagum, has stated that the budget line for immunization is embedded within the allocations of the relevant implementing ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
She made this remark in response to a request from the Bauchi State Zero Dose Learning Hub Community of Practice (CoP), which called for a dedicated budget line for immunization following the expiration of the basket funds supporting immunization in the state.
The request was made during a follow-up advocacy visit by CoP members to the ministry.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Jibrin Mohammed, the commissioner emphasized the ministry’s openness to collaboration and pledged to work toward ensuring the release of budgeted immunization funds.
The focal person of the African Health Budget Network (AHBN), Dr. Hassan Musa noted that the follow-up visit was aimed at discussing the ₦870 million budget allocation for immunization in the proposed 2025 state budget.
He highlighted that Bauchi State’s health budget had seen a deliberate increase in 2023 and 2024 in alignment with the Abuja Declaration.
He also pointed out that the financial component of the immunization Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) expired in 2024, making it crucial for the CoP to ensure that the funds allocated for immunization in 2025 are reflected in the final signed budget.
“We are here at this ministry to strengthen AHBN’s collaboration and partnership, leveraging the activities of the CoP to ensure increased and timely budgetary releases while upholding the principle of sustainable accountability in immunization financing,” Dr. Hassan Shuaibu said.
He added that AHBN has been working in Bauchi and Ganjuwa Local Government Areas, where findings indicate that while the government has made commendable progress in immunization funding, gaps remain in monitoring and supervision.
Co-chair of the Bauchi State Zero Dose Learning Hub Community of Practice, Jinjiri Garba, emphasized that the follow-up visit aimed to stress the need for the government to bridge funding gaps in immunization.
The African Health Budget Network (AHBN) is implementing the Nigeria Zero Dose Learning Hub (ZDLH) in partnership with the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) and in close collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and State Primary Health Care Boards, with technical support from Gavi.
