A Learning Agenda to Address Immunization Equity and Access for Nigeria to End Zero-Dose Children by 2030: Report from a National Stakeholder Consensus Workshop.

Background: Nigeria has one of the highest burdens of zero-dose (ZD) children, those who have not received the first dose of pentavalent vaccine, despite multiple national and partner initiatives to strengthen routine immunization. A coordinated national learning agenda is required to guide evidence generation and use for reducing ZD children. The study objective is to describe the process and outcomes of a national stakeholder workshop that used a modified Delphi approach to prioritise learning questions on ZD children in Nigeria. Methodology: The Zero-Dose Learning Hub (ZDLH) convened a national workshop of immunization stakeholders from government, development partners, and civil society. A three-round modified Delphi process was used. In Round 1 (pre-workshop), participants independently scored learning questions derived from global Gavi learning priorities and Nigerian political-economy analyses. In Round 2 (during the workshop), participants discussed and re-scored questions in plenary and small groups. In Round 3 (post-workshop), participants completed a final independent ranking. Results: Ten learning questions were prioritised under three themes: equity, health systems, and innovation. The highest-ranked questions consistently focused on identifying and monitoring zero-dose & under-immunised children; understanding who and where they are and why they are missed; and health-system factors influencing their identification and measurement. Community engagement, data harmonisation, and capacity-building emerged as secondary but important areas. Conclusion: The workshop generated a nationally owned learning agenda that highlights Nigeria's most urgent evidence needs for reaching ZD children. The prioritised questions provide a practical roadmap for NPHCDA and partners to strengthen immunization equity, guide operational research, and support targeted programme implementation.

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PubMed
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2026-07-23
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Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
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article

A Learning Agenda to Address Immunization Equity and Access for Nigeria to End Zero-Dose Children by 2030: Report from a National Stakeholder Consensus Workshop.

Fiyidi Mikailu, Ismail Ndalami Salihu, SO Abah, Obioma Azurunwa et al.
PubMed
Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
article

A Learning Agenda to Address Immunization Equity and Access for Nigeria to End Zero-Dose Children by 2030: Report from a National Stakeholder Consensus Workshop.

Fiyidi Mikailu, Ismail Ndalami Salihu, SO Abah, Obioma Azurunwa, Sulaiman Etamesor, Ene Gbenewei, A. Garba, Belinda Uba, Yahaya Mohammed, Moreen Kamateeka, Heidi W. Reynolds, Nancy Vollmer, Olasoji Fasogbon, Adam Attahiru, Mohammed Musa Abubakar, Patrick Nguku, Margeret Wisdom, Garba Bello Bakunawa, Ijeoma Mmirikwe, F Gidado, Yusuf Yusufari, Teemar Fisseha, Muknaan David Nshe, Hadiza Hussayn Jibril, Talatu Buba Bello, Amina Shehu Adamu, OJ Babayemi, Ndadilnasiya Endie Waziri, Aminu Garba Magashi, Anointed David Oriaku, Khalifa Mohammed, Binta Aduke Ismail, O Giwa, Amal Ja'arat Oladimeji, Amina Haladu, Mashin Muhammad, Ibrahim Dadari, Gustavo Caetano Correa, Lukman Abdulaziz Abdulsalam, Muhammad Usman, Olawunmi Adeoye, Nuruddeen Aliyu, Maimuna Umar Babangida, Reward Nsirim, Abayomi Olufemi, Ridwan Yahaya, Nememma Agu, Hyelshilni Waziri, Ahmed Olowo-Okere
article en

Abstract

Background: Nigeria has one of the highest burdens of zero-dose (ZD) children, those who have not received the first dose of pentavalent vaccine, despite multiple national and partner initiatives to strengthen routine immunization. A coordinated national learning agenda is required to guide evidence generation and use for reducing ZD children. The study objective is to describe the process and outcomes of a national stakeholder workshop that used a modified Delphi approach to prioritise learning questions on ZD children in Nigeria. Methodology: The Zero-Dose Learning Hub (ZDLH) convened a national workshop of immunization stakeholders from government, development partners, and civil society. A three-round modified Delphi process was used. In Round 1 (pre-workshop), participants independently scored learning questions derived from global Gavi learning priorities and Nigerian political-economy analyses. In Round 2 (during the workshop), participants discussed and re-scored questions in plenary and small groups. In Round 3 (post-workshop), participants completed a final independent ranking. Results: Ten learning questions were prioritised under three themes: equity, health systems, and innovation. The highest-ranked questions consistently focused on identifying and monitoring zero-dose & under-immunised children; understanding who and where they are and why they are missed; and health-system factors influencing their identification and measurement. Community engagement, data harmonisation, and capacity-building emerged as secondary but important areas. Conclusion: The workshop generated a nationally owned learning agenda that highlights Nigeria's most urgent evidence needs for reaching ZD children. The prioritised questions provide a practical roadmap for NPHCDA and partners to strengthen immunization equity, guide operational research, and support targeted programme implementation.

PubMedVol. 66(6)
United Nations Children's Fund (US), International Development Research Centre (CA), Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (US), Gavi (CH), Caleb University (NG), African Field Epidemiology Network (NG), Integrated Oncology (United States) (US), Ministry of Environment (NG), Caritas Nigeria (NG), World Health Organization - Nigeria (NG), Nigerian University Games Association (NG), John Snow (United States) (US), Ministry of Defence (SI), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NG), Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NG), Nigerian Christian Hospital (NG), University of Abuja (NG), Newcastle University (GB)
Partnerships for the goals
Openalex Percentile: Top 6%
Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
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