Policy Briefs

Selonnes Policy Tidbits: | Covid 19 Vaccine – Nigeria Must Attend to Most Vulnerable First.


Global best practices in any sector, requires copying or emulating policies adopted by other members of the international community to promote the welfare of their citizens. In that regard, there is no copyright infringement. Yet, it seems that Nigeria is unwilling to emulate even rudimentary global best practices relating to Covid-19 management. A case in point. The Covid-19 vaccine global lexicon continue to expand: “vaccine efficacy,” “vaccine nationalism,” “vaccine hesitancy,” “vaccine resistance” and for Nigeria, add “vaccine favoritism”. Nigerians watch in consternation as their political leaders, government officials, their families, acolytes and cronies get vaccinated while Nigeria’s most vulnerable languish.  Getting the Covid 19 vaccine first to the most vulnerable across the nation, even as a symbolic gesture, is unquestionably a confidence building measure (CBM).  Why is the FGN and 36 States not doing that. 

Oseloka Obaze, MD & CEO

Oseloka Obaze, MD & CEO

Mr. Obaze is the former Secretary to the State Government of Anambra State, Nigeria from 2012 to 2015 - MD & CEO, Oseloka H. Obaze. Mr. Obaze also served as a former United Nations official, from 1991-2012, and as a former member of the Nigerian Diplomatic Service, from 1982-1991.

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