South Korea has pledged $5.6 million to strengthen child immunisation programmes across five Nigerian states, including Lagos, in a move aimed at improving vaccine coverage among vulnerable populations.
The Korean Consul-General to Nigeria, Mr Sang Ho Lee, disclosed this on Thursday, 16, April , 2026 during the flag-off ceremony of the Republic of Korea-UNICEF Investments on Routine Immunisation held in Badagry, Lagos.
The funding, announced through South Korea’s international development cooperation framework, is expected to support the procurement and distribution of essential childhood vaccines, as well as the training of frontline health workers to ensure broader reach across urban and rural communities.
The initiative will target four additional states beyond Lagos, focusing on areas with historically low immunisation rates and limited healthcare infrastructure.
Officials say the intervention will work in tandem with Nigeria’s national immunisation schedule, helping to close critical gaps in coverage for diseases such as polio, measles, diphtheria, and hepatitis B.
The funding is also expected to bolster cold chain logistics, a persistent challenge in ensuring vaccines remain effective during storage and transportation across the country.
The announcement has been welcomed by Nigerian health authorities and international public health advocates, who note that low immunisation coverage remains a significant driver of preventable child mortality in the region.
South Korea’s contribution is seen as part of a growing trend of South-South and East-South development partnerships, with Seoul increasingly positioning itself as a key donor in global health initiatives.
Health officials present at the flag off ceremony expressed optimism that the investment would make measurable progress in reducing vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks before the programme’s target completion date.
