Nigeria Gets $11m Cold Chain Boost for Vaccine Storage

The Federal Government has received new cold chain equipment worth $11 million to strengthen vaccine storage and distribution across the country.

The delivery, supported by Gavi, UNICEF, and the World Health Organisation (WHO), includes solar-powered refrigerators, spare parts, and monitoring devices for safe vaccine storage.

Speaking at the handover in Abuja, the head of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Muyi Aina, said the equipment would help improve ongoing immunisation campaigns, especially in underserved communities.

“We don’t want equipment that works for just a few years and breaks down. That’s why we included spare parts, long-term maintenance, and monitoring devices to ensure vaccines remain safe,” Aina explained.

He noted that all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory will benefit from the distribution, with priority given to areas with poor access to vaccines and children who have never been immunised.

UNICEF’s Chief of Health, Dr. Maharajan Muthu, described the investment as critical for reaching remote areas.

“These refrigerators will enable safe vaccine storage in communities without reliable electricity and ensure that no child is left behind,” he said.

The equipment is expected to play a major role in reducing the number of unvaccinated children in Nigeria and boosting confidence in the country’s immunisation programme.