The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has warned that parents, guardians, and school owners who fail to comply with child immunisation directives will face sanctions.
The warning was issued by Adedolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), during a press briefing in Abuja on Saturday.
Fasawe said the renewed enforcement drive aligns with the Child Rights Act, 2003, which makes immunisation a legal obligation for all parents and institutions.
“Sections 13 and 14 of the Act mandate parents, guardians, and institutions to ensure that every child is fully immunised. Denying such access violates a child’s right to health and protection,” she stated.
She stressed that immunisation within the FCT is free, safe, and effective, warning that ignorance or misinformation will not be accepted as an excuse for non-compliance.
Fasawe also revealed that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has approved free enrolment into the FCT Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS) for all children who complete their vaccination in public schools across the territory.
According to her, the administration has started identifying non-compliant schools and issuing reminder letters, while 132 vaccination teams will be deployed for a three-day citywide mop-up exercise in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and development partners.
“We will continue to educate our people and assure them of the safety and effectiveness of vaccines,” Fasawe added.
She noted that the campaign is being carried out in partnership with traditional and religious leaders, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), civil society organisations (CSOs), and international agencies such as UNICEF, WHO, and IVACA, to ensure no child is left unvaccinated.
As part of sensitisation efforts, FCTA teams have visited major religious centres across the capital, including Ansar-ud-Deen Society, Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Foundation, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), and Christ Holy Church International.
