Strategic Communication for Polio Eradication in Nigeria : Lessons and Challenges

By late 2009, Nigeria remained the only polio endemic country in Africa and one of the only four in the world.Polio cases rose astronomically between 2003 and 2009, a period that coincided with immunization boycott in Northern Nigeria.Global polio eradication partners, led by UNICEF adopted a new communication approach that led to 99% drop in polio cases between 2009 and 2010. This work reveals a strong link between the application of UNICEF- developed ACADA model for communication planning and the positive response of mothers to polio eradication campaign. Development communication scholars and development agencies will find this work very useful.