Father of 21 Champions Vaccination in Borno State

What began as scepticism has turned into a movement for healthier children in Basheti, Borno State. Bala Sarki, a father of 21, once doubted the safety of vaccines. Today, he is one of the strongest voices urging parents in his community to immunise their children.

Sarki’s change of heart began when one of his daughters suffered repeated bouts of diarrhoea and other preventable illnesses. When the Christian Health Association of Nigeria (CHAN) vaccination team visited Basheti, he reluctantly allowed one child to be immunised. To his surprise, the child stayed healthy, unlike the others who often fell sick.

Encouraged, he gradually ensured all 21 of his children were vaccinated. He now spends time accompanying mothers to clinics and openly advocates for fathers to take responsibility in child health. “I am not shy. I know the importance of vaccination. The women respect me, and many wish their husbands were like me,” he said.

Since 2023, CHAN has administered more than 55,000 doses of vaccines in Jere Local Government Area, with a target of reaching 11,000 children under five. Supported by Gavi’s Humanitarian Partnerships Programme, the initiative faces challenges from conflict and limited health infrastructure, but local champions like Sarki are helping bridge the trust gap.

His message is straightforward: “If you don’t want to spend money treating vaccine-preventable diseases, take your child for vaccination.”

In a state where misinformation and insecurity often hinder immunisation, Sarki’s transformation from vaccine hesitancy to advocacy shows how community voices can change health outcomes.