The Federal Government has acquired cold chain equipment worth $11 million to strengthen vaccine storage and distribution nationwide.
The delivery includes 1,653 solar-powered direct-drive refrigerators, 165 spare parts kits, and temperature-monitoring devices. Speaking during the handover in Abuja on Wednesday, NPHCDA Executive Director, Muyi Aina, revealed that the project is jointly funded by Gavi, UNICEF, and the Federal Government.
He described the equipment as “timely” in view of multiple immunisation campaigns, including a nationwide programme scheduled for October targeting over 109 million children aged 0–14 years.
“Of the 1,653 refrigerators, 1,241 are of the B Medical Systems brand, while 412 are Dulas units. These were selected after a rigorous procurement process, drawing on our experience with existing devices deployed across the country,” Aina said.
The first batch of 525 units has already arrived, while the rest are ready for deployment. Distribution will follow a nationwide needs assessment, focusing on underserved communities and “zero-dose” children.
Planned allocation gives the North-West the largest share (448 units), followed by South-West (343), North-Central (308), South-South (221), South-East (205), and North-East (128), representing 53% for northern states and 47% for southern states.
UNICEF’s Chief of Health, Maharajan Muthu, described cold chain systems as “the backbone of effective immunisation programmes,” stressing that the $11 million package will enhance vaccine delivery, especially in remote areas with unreliable power.
“This support package, valued at around $11 million, will significantly enhance Nigeria’s healthcare system. The refrigerators make it possible to reach remote communities, ensure safe vaccine storage where electricity is unreliable, and ultimately deliver effective vaccines to every child, leaving no one behind,” he said.
