The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 153 measles-related deaths across the country between January and November 2025, raising concerns over low vaccination coverage among children.
According to the agency, 26,866 suspected cases of measles were recorded within the period, out of which 19,213 cases were confirmed across 507 local government areas in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The NCDC disclosed the figures in its Measles Situation Report, released on Tuesday in Abuja.
“A total of 153 deaths were recorded among confirmed measles cases, with a case fatality rate of 0.8 per cent,” the report stated.
The agency noted that children aged nine to 59 months were the most affected, accounting for 48.9 per cent of all confirmed infections.
“Of the 19,213 confirmed cases, about 14,801 children — representing 77 per cent — had not received a single dose of the measles vaccine,” the NCDC said, describing them as zero-dose children.
The report further revealed that Borno, Zamfara, Yobe, Bauchi and Kebbi states accounted for more than 66 per cent of all suspected cases recorded nationwide within the review period.
Providing an update for November 2025, the NCDC said 71 suspected cases were reported, with Delta, Kwara, Bayelsa, Jigawa and Akwa Ibom states accounting for over half of the figure.
“In November, only one local government area — Eti-Osa in Lagos State — had an ongoing measles outbreak. No new outbreaks were recorded during the month,” the report added.
The agency also confirmed that 188 LGAs across 27 states experienced measles outbreaks between January and November, but noted that 187 LGAs had successfully ended their outbreaks by the end of November.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease transmitted through coughing, sneezing and close contact. The virus can survive in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours, with infected persons most contagious from four days before to four days after the appearance of rash.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has intensified efforts to curb the spread of the disease.
On October 6, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, launched the Measles–Rubella Vaccine Introduction and Integrated Campaign.
“This campaign is expected to reach about 106 million children aged nine months to under 15 years across the country,” Tinubu said, describing it as the largest health intervention of its kind in Africa.
The campaign integrates immunisation against measles, rubella and polio, as well as the rollout of the Human Papillomavirus vaccine for adolescent girls.
