Strengthening Local Government Leadership for Measles-Rubella Vaccine Introduction

As Nigeria prepares for the nationwide introduction of the Integrated Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine, the Centre for Well-being and Integrated Nutrition Solutions (C-WINS) facilitated a high-level sensitisation meeting with the leadership of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).
The session focused on raising awareness among ALGON leaders about the critical role of Local Government Areas (LGAs) in driving vaccine uptake at the grassroots. As the umbrella body representing all 774 LGAs in the country, ALGON acknowledged the importance of local leadership in ensuring the success of the MR campaign and committed to disseminating messages across all LGA chairmen to mobilize action.
During the discussions, three key responsibilities for LGAs were highlighted:
Planning, Coordination & Funding – Developing ward-level microplans, coordinating stakeholders, and managing resources provided through state and national support.
Service Delivery & Logistics – Deploying trained vaccination teams, maintaining cold chain systems, and reaching eligible children through fixed posts, temporary sites, and house-to-house outreach.
Community Engagement, Monitoring & Reporting – Mobilizing traditional and religious leaders to promote vaccine acceptance, supervising daily campaign activities, and reporting timely coverage data to state and federal levels.
ALGON leadership reiterated their mandate to support all grassroots health interventions and pledged to circulate messages encouraging every LGA chairman nationwide to provide visible leadership for the MR campaign in their communities.
By sensitizing ALGON and securing their commitment, the MR campaign gains stronger ownership at the grassroots, ensuring accountability and improved community participation. C-WINS will continue to facilitate advocacy, coordination, and community engagement to protect every Nigerian child through this life-saving vaccination initiative.