Nigeria has received a major boost to its healthcare system with the deployment of over 1,600 solar-powered refrigerators to strengthen vaccine storage nationwide. The equipment, worth $11 million, is part of a collaborative effort between the Federal Government, Gavi, UNICEF, and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Dr Muyi Aina, head of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), said the cold chain investment would ensure reliable vaccine access in remote areas, where electricity supply often hinders effective immunisation. The Northwest and Northcentral will benefit most, receiving a combined 756 units, while every state, including the Federal Capital Territory, will receive a share.
“These refrigerators guarantee potency of vaccines, reduce wastage and expand coverage, particularly in underserved communities,” Aina said, stressing that the initiative supports President Bola Tinubu’s health sector reform agenda.
WHO’s representative in Nigeria, Dr Alex Gasasira, said the project was consistent with the global Immunisation Agenda 2030, which promotes equitable access to vaccines and resilient health systems. UNICEF’s Dr Maharajan Muthu added that while cold chain improvements were critical, more work was needed in logistics, asset tracking and sustainable financing.
Parents and children in Nigeria’s hardest-to-reach communities are expected to benefit most from the investment, which officials say will help deliver “life-saving vaccines without leaving anyone behind.”
