Shettima Chairs NEC Meeting as Council Reviews Polio Reduction

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday presided over the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

In attendance were key political leaders, including the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazak, as well as the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma. Governors from Zamfara, Jigawa, Lagos, Anambra, Gombe, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Benue, and Ondo States, alongside the Rivers State Sole Administrator, also participated in the session.

At the close of deliberations, the Council revealed encouraging progress in Nigeria’s fight against the Type-2 variant of the polio virus. According to the report, cases have dropped from 78 in 2024 to 42 as of August 2025.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Governor of Gombe State and Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, Inuwa Yahaya, noted that while progress has been made, some states remain at high risk. “Today, we updated the Council on our progress and the achievements. The committee was principally set up to see to the stoppage of the circulating virus two, which is a new variant, and it is more prevalent in the states of the North West, particularly Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara. Also, there was a case in 2024 in Gombe. The progress so far made has shown that there is a downward trend, from about 78 cases in 2024 as at the 33rd week, which is the week of our last meeting in August. Now it has gone down to 42 cases.”

He pointed out that certain states have achieved significant breakthroughs. “Also, Kano and Katsina states, particularly, have recorded 85% and 84% reductions respectively, while Gombe has no case at all this year. Sokoto is at the back of the seat. So far, out of the 23 cases recorded in 2025, Sokoto has 13 cases, and so the committee has reported that and will discuss with the governor of Sokoto state with a view to strategising and see that they give effective coverage and ensure that routine immunization reaches all the people,” Yahaya said.