Racing Against Polio: Meet Frontline Workers Protecting Warawa’s Children 

In the dusty earth roads and courtyards of Warawa community, the laughter and screams of children as they play resonate with the determined strides of health workers. Three women in this community have taken the lead role at the frontline of Nigeria’s fight against polio.

Amina Musa Garba carefully scans over community logs to ensure every child is accounted for in the immunization drive. Every page flipped is a record of children who’ve received the oral polio vaccine or ear marked households reached with the vaccines.   

Outside, Zainab Adam Suleiman is on the move; her cooler containing oral polio vaccine sets to protect a generation, and she is moving from one house to another at a brisk pace.  

At the same time, Khadijah Yakubu, using her most soothing voice, talks to unwilling mothers to assure them and remind them of the need for immunization.  

Their duties extend beyond vaccination; they are guardians of optimism, striving to protect the children of Warawa from a disease that has, ever so silently, endeavored to reverse Nigeria’s relentless march toward eradication. 

Amina is a Community Recorder, Zainab is a Community Vaccinator, and Khadijah is a Community Mobilizer.  

Warawa is a local government area (LGA) in Kano State, Nigeria, located about 35 kilometers from the state capital. It’s characterized by a warm climate with an average daily high temperature above 99°F during the hot season (March 16 to May 23) and a chilly season from December 3 to January 28. The residents primarily engage in subsistence agriculture, utilizing the vast arable land to contribute to the state’s food production.

Overview of Nigeria’s Polio Resurgence 

Nigeria is facing a “troubling resurgence” of polio, with 94 confirmed cases spreading across 15 states in 2024. Additionally, in 2025, three cases were identified in three LGAs: Warawa, Bunkure, and Nassarawa threatening decades of progress in disease eradication. This has pushed the country’s vital forces to begin sounding an alarm for contingency measures to curb transmission. 

Nigeria achieved wild polio virus-free status on August 25, 2020, certified by the Africa Regional Certification Commission for Polio Eradication (ARCC) and endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO).  

Shortly after this achievement, Professor Tomori termed it a “battle won,” but cautioned Nigerians not to let their guard down. “Polio – We have won a battle, but the war is still on,” he emphasized, Professor Tomori, a leading Virologist who helped spearhead Nigeria’s efforts to eradicate polio.  

“Unfortunately, over the past three to four years, the country has seen a resurgence of the virus, which poses a significant threat. This situation has raised growing concerns about the need for measures to ensure that the progress made in polio eradication is not compromised,” says Dr. Nasir Mahmud, Director General of the Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board. 

Seemingly, Professor Tomori’s foresight was taken lightly, resulting in today’s resurgence.  

“A resurgence of the circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV) is a clear indication that there are a lot of gaps,” highlights Dr. Mahmud. 

The Frontline Heroes

A “resurgence anywhere is a threat everywhere,” and to safeguard decades of progress, health workers in Kano and beyond are racing against time. “We’re carrying out aggressive door-to-door vaccination campaigns to prevent further spread and protect children aged 0 to 5 from lifelong disabilities,” says Khadijah. The fight against polio is now more critical than ever—not just for Nigeria, but for global eradication efforts. No doubt, Khadijah is taking her work beyond a mere vocation to a lifeline more than ever.

“We engage with the community and motivate caregivers to have their children vaccinated. If we encounter families who have not complied with the routine immunization schedule, the Community Vaccinator provides immediate information on the necessary steps to take. In cases of hesitancy, the Community Leader and Mobilizer will step in to educate them about the importance of vaccinations,” she says, adding that this approach has helped to build trust in the vaccination initiative.

Going about the vaccination as tact team has proven rewarding for them. “The trust-building role I play—convincing skeptical parents, dispelling misinformation, and fostering community acceptance of immunization, levels ground for the vaccinator to administer the vaccines while equally allowing for the community recorder to meticulously documents children who have been vaccinated, tracks those who missed doses, and follows up to ensure immunization targets are met,” says Khadijah.  

Challenges

Northwestern Nigeria is susceptible to polio outbreaks due to several factors, including high population density, gaps in routine immunization, and persistent vaccine hesitancy driven by misinformation. Remote communities, where healthcare infrastructure is lacking, present significant challenges for vaccination teams striving to reach every child.. 

During the recent mass vaccination campaign, local teams, including Amina, Zainab, and Khadijah, faced arduous journeys under the scorching sun, with temperatures soaring to 40 degrees Celsius/ 104 degrees Fahrenheit, to ensure that every child in the Warawa Community received their vaccinations. 

Impact

In a purely conservative society such as Warawa, where everything is examined through the prism of religion, skepticism once hampered efforts to vaccinate. However, a silent shift is occurring today. Families previously resistant to polio immunization due to myths surrounding its impact have now accepted it as a result of seeing tangible outcomes. What was once reticent is now proactive, with mothers leading the charge, encouraging neighbors to protect their children. This transformation is powered through sponsored community outreach. “Mobilizers” like Khadijah, whose steady conversation convinces one skeptic at a time, have proven productive. Each child protected signifies more than individual safety; it fortifies Nigeria’s ongoing battle against Polio.  

“I allowed my children to receive the vaccine because I want them to be healthy and protected against polio and other preventable diseases like measles. I urge my fellow mothers to vaccinate their children, as it is crucial for their health,” says Rukayya Hashimu, mother of a recipient of the oral polio vaccine. 

The impact of Warawa’s advancements is far from complete. The community needs a sustained immunization program beyond occasional mass vaccination campaigns to prevent any further outbreaks and ensure a polio-free future for generations to come. 

As the fight for eradication continues, Nigeria’s frontline vaccinators show remarkable determination in their mission to protect every child. Their efforts are not just part of a campaign; they are a lifeline, ensuring that no child is left behind in the battle against polio. However, the success of polio eradication depends on consistent, community-driven initiatives that involve mobilizers, educators, and local leaders working together to build lasting immunity.