A public health specialist says Nigeria’s high under-five mortality rate is a warning sign that the country is in a serious health crisis. He is calling for stronger vaccination efforts to protect children.
Speaking on Nigeria Info’s Maternity Line with Zaynab, Dr. Japhet Olugbogi said Nigeria still ranks among the countries where children are most at risk. He warned that the numbers are alarming and demand urgent action.
“Out of every 1,000 children, 117 die before the age of five,” he said. “This is one of the highest rates in the world… and it is unacceptable.”
Olugbogi said Lagos is especially vulnerable to infectious diseases.
Poor sanitation, open defecation, and improper waste disposal, he explained, expose children to preventable illnesses like measles, cholera, polio, pneumonia, and sepsis.
He added that many families still struggle to access routine vaccines, even though they are free. Some cannot afford transport to clinics.
Others avoid vaccination because of long distances or extra fees charged for unrelated services.
But access is only part of the problem. Olugbogi said distrust in government fuels vaccine hesitancy.
“People have lost a sizable amount of trust in government and government activities,” he noted.
He also debunked claims that vaccines reduce fertility, calling them “falsehoods.”
The specialist said some schools and faith-based groups even block vaccination teams, fearing complaints from parents.
And while the government’s house-to-house strategy works, vaccinators still face hostility and poor working conditions.
To boost vaccination coverage, Olugbogi called for better public education, improved communication skills for frontline workers, and clear, reliable information channels for parents.
Improving child survival in Lagos, he said, “is a collective effort.” He urged government, community leaders, and the media to work together to protect every child.
