The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State has called on the state government to account for about ₦9.8 billion received under a World Bank-supported immunisation project amid reports of a diphtheria outbreak affecting several local government areas.
The organisation also urged the government to intensify vaccination efforts and strengthen disease surveillance to prevent further infections and deaths, particularly among children.
The call was contained in a statement issued in Ibadan on Tuesday by the organisation’s Director of Media and Publicity, Bisi Oladele.
According to the organisation, the reported outbreak has raised concerns about the effectiveness of childhood immunisation programmes in the state.
It identified 16 local government areas reportedly affected by the outbreak as Atisbo, Ibadan North-West, Oyo West, Akinyele, Saki, Egbeda, Oriire, Ibadan North, Ibadan South-West, Iwajowa, Ona-Ara, Atiba, Lagelu, Ogbomosho North, Surulere and Oluyole.
Oladele said the situation required urgent government intervention to protect children against vaccine-preventable diseases.
“Every child deserves protection against vaccine-preventable diseases, and the government must demonstrate that its immunisation programme is reaching vulnerable communities effectively,” he said.
The organisation expressed concern over figures it cited from childhood immunisation surveys, which it said placed Oyo State behind the other five South-West states.
According to the figures, Oyo’s childhood immunisation coverage increased from 51.3 per cent in the 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey to 55 per cent in the 2025–2026 survey.
The organisation contrasted this with increases recorded in Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo and Osun, arguing that the disparity raised questions about the reach and effectiveness of the state’s immunisation interventions.
It also cited audited financial records indicating that Oyo State had received approximately ₦9.832 billion in cumulative World Bank and International Development Association funding under the Immunisation Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services Project as of December 31, 2024.
When the state’s contribution of ₦41 million and miscellaneous and interest income of ₦13.45 million were included, total receipts reportedly amounted to approximately ₦9.886 billion.
The campaign organisation maintained that the funds should produce measurable improvements in public health outcomes.
“Billions of naira in development financing must translate into measurable improvements in public health. These funds are not free money; they are part of development financing that carries obligations and must deliver value to the people who will ultimately bear the cost,” the statement said.
It called on the state’s Director of Public Health to explain the factors contributing to the reported outbreak and provide details of the resources spent on immunisation and disease prevention.
The organisation also urged the government to collaborate with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and development partners to contain the outbreak and prevent further transmission.
Beyond the immediate response, it demanded the publication of updated financial and implementation reports for the IMPACT Project, including subsequent disbursements, expenditure details, vaccination targets and actual coverage achieved.
It further called for information on measures taken to reach underserved communities.
The organisation also questioned the continued engagement of a retired Primary Health Care Board IMPACT Programme Manager involved in the project, arguing that transparency in staffing and programme administration was necessary.
“Oyo has qualified medical and public-health professionals whose expertise should be effectively deployed to strengthen the system. We must insist on accountability and competent programme management,” it added.
Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that commonly affects the nose and throat and can cause breathing difficulties, heart complications and death, particularly when diagnosis and treatment are delayed.
The campaign organisation stressed that addressing the outbreak should remain a priority, alongside a review of immunisation funding and the performance of programmes designed to protect children.
