The Federal Government of Nigeria on Friday commissioned a $406,000 Central Cold Chain store in Maiduguri, Borno State, designed to safeguard vaccines for residents across the state and neighbouring areas.
The facility was reconstructed following the 2024 floods that submerged the previous store, destroying vaccines and infrastructure. Speaking at the unveiling, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammed Pate, represented by the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Muyi Aina, described the new cold chain store as “bigger, better, and solar-powered,” with more space and flexibility.
“Together as partners—including the Borno State Government, the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and our international partners—we have restored it bigger, better, and more resilient,” the Minister said.
UNICEF Chief of Maiduguri Field Office, Francis Bitchi, confirmed that the $406,000 project was funded by the governments of Germany and Canada. He added that the facility has been converted into a climate-resilient hub equipped with a 64KVA solar power system to ensure uninterrupted vaccine storage.
Bitchi highlighted that nearly one million vaccine doses were lost during the 2024 floods, along with half of the cold chain equipment, affecting immunisation services across all 27 local government areas of the state, serving about 7.5 million people.
“The facility is now restocked with nearly one million vaccine doses, essential commodities replaced, and strengthened with improved storage racks and conference facilities,” he said.
The cold chain store will support immunisation across all LGAs, outbreak response readiness, zero-dose reduction strategies, and vaccine security for hard-to-reach populations. Bitchi called for continued investment in cold chain maintenance, multimedia facilities, recruitment and retention of health workers, and timely release of critical health financing mechanisms, including the Child Nutrition Fund.
He reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to working with the Federal Government, Borno State, and other partners to ensure that every child in the state has access to life-saving immunisation and quality primary health care services.
