By Abdulkareem Haruna

Maiduguri, Nigeria — The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has offered strong commendation to the Borno State Government, praising the high participation rate and what it called an “excellent” integrated strategy being used in the ongoing Measles and Rubella immunization campaign.

The endorsement came from Dr. Shina Aladeshawe, a Senior Program Manager with the Gates Foundation, during a recent inspection tour of vaccination centers across Maiduguri. Aladeshawe highlighted the state’s decision to combine multiple vaccines—including measles, rubella, and polio—into a single, coordinated effort as key to the campaign’s effectiveness.

“I think the idea of running an integrated campaign is an excellent one. Integration allows for efficiency and maximizes resources,” Dr. Aladeshawe said, noting the strategy’s cost-saving benefits.

Commitment and Compliance
The Foundation’s representative specifically praised the dedication of the state’s leadership, including Governor Babagana Zulum and his wife, for prioritizing the health of citizens, particularly children.

Aladeshawe expressed particular satisfaction upon witnessing mothers and children receiving multiple essential vaccines at the same site. Despite acknowledging minor operational challenges—such as minor gaps in data management and vaccine administration—he observed that on-site supervisors were actively working to address these issues.

“The joy on the faces of the people doing this work, the joy on the mothers’ faces, despite some challenges, is a testament to the success of this campaign,” he remarked.

An Appeal for Continued Participation
Underscoring the public health benefits, Dr. Aladeshawe urged all parents and caregivers to utilize the available, free immunizations. He stressed that widespread vaccination is the best defense against severe diseases.

“Vaccines are the cheapest, safest, and for the most part, free for everybody,” he stated. “It’s exciting when people are coming with their kids, knowing that they’re protecting the population and the community against some of these killer diseases.”

He concluded by thanking Governor Zulum, his wife, and the state government, as well as all partners, stakeholders, and the media for their role in disseminating vital information and ensuring the campaign’s high compliance levels.


The Gates Foundation’s support for Borno State goes back years, and the recent praise for their vaccine drive is part of a larger plan to fix and strengthen the state’s healthcare system, especially after years of conflict.

The biggest part of the Foundation’s support has been focused on getting children vaccinated: After 2015, Borno State signed an important agreement with the Gates Foundation and the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF). This deal created a clear plan to completely rebuild the routine vaccination program that had been badly damaged by the insurgency.
Funding Shifts: The agreement was designed so that Borno would gradually take over the financial cost. At first, the external partners paid most of the bill. However, over time, Borno was expected to pay 70% of the costs itself, a commitment the state has since kept. This ensures the program can continue even after the outside funding stops.
Essential Equipment: The fund facilitates the procurement of crucial items needed to deliver vaccines, like Solar Direct Drive (SDD) Refrigerators. These fridges are essential for keeping vaccines cold and effective, and they allow health workers to travel to remote areas and deliver the free shots.

The Foundation also worked to ensure the health services were well-run and that the state leaders were committed to public health:
Encouraging Good Governance: The Foundation helped organize the Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge. This contest offered financial rewards to governors who showed the strongest commitment to improving their health services.
Borno State won significant prizes, including $700,000 in 2023, proving that these incentives pushed the state to invest wisely.

The Foundation has also provided expert advice and support to fix the system that transports essential medicines and vaccines. This ensures that supplies reliably reach the most distant communities.