The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has launched a multi-faith vaccination campaign targeting measles and rubella, enlisting religious leaders across Abuja to drive uptake and ensure full coverage among children, particularly in underserved communities.

Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment, unveiled the initiative Thursday at a media briefing, followed by outreach visits to mosques and churches over the weekend—including Ansar-ud-Deen Society, Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Foundation, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, and Redeemed Christian Church of God.

“Ignorance or misinformation can’t be an excuse,” Fasawe told congregants, emphasizing that vaccines are free, safe, and mandated under Sections 13 and 14 of the 2003 Child Rights Act. She warned that parents or schools obstructing vaccination teams could face sanctions.

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike added a major incentive: full health insurance enrollment for any public school child who completes the immunization schedule. “It’s about protecting our future,” Wike said, as 132 vaccination squads began a three-day mop-up operation in partnership with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, UNICEF, WHO, and other stakeholders.

Religious leaders welcomed the campaign. Pastor Edwin Etomi of MFM praised Wike’s “proactive commitment,” while Christ Holy Church’s Anselm Ikebata urged parents to “secure your child’s future today.” At Mountain of Fire, families queued with children, receiving party packs and toys as part of the outreach.

Fasawe’s teams targeted hard-to-reach areas, markets, and playgrounds, aiming to close immunization gaps in a city where 20% of under-fives miss routine shots, according to WHO data. Abuja’s current coverage stands at 70%, below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity, amid nationwide measles outbreaks that claim an estimated 100 child lives annually.

While partners like UNICEF praised the campaign’s inclusive approach, some parents expressed concerns about vaccine side effects. Fasawe responded with reassurance: “These vaccines save lives; we’ve got the data.”

As the campaign gains momentum, it tests the intersection of faith, law, and public health in Nigeria’s capital—where community trust and coordinated logistics remain key to success.