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.
Authors
- Fiyidi Mikailu
- Ismail Ndalami Salihu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8405-1934)
- SO Abah
- Obioma Azurunwa
- Sulaiman Etamesor
- Ene Gbenewei
- A. Garba
- Belinda Uba
- Yahaya Mohammed (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0075-9511)
- Moreen Kamateeka (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7431-9485)
- Heidi W. Reynolds (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2077-6773)
- Nancy Vollmer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0259-0011)
- Olasoji Fasogbon
- Adam Attahiru
- Mohammed Musa Abubakar
- Patrick Nguku (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5684-4796)
- 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
Institutions
- 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)
Publication Details
- Journal
- PubMed
- Published
- 2026-07-23
- Primary Topic
- Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00