Scorecard findings reveal Sokoto’s gains, gaps in immunization funding
By Ahmed Ahmed
Findings from the 2025 Immunization Budget Accountability Scorecard released by the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) have shown measurable progress as well as critical gaps in Sokoto State’s immunization financing and accountability framework.
This is contained in a press statement signed by Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba Coordinator, AHBN made available newsmen on Friday in Bauchi
The scorecard, which assessed government commitments, budget allocations, fund releases, utilization, and service delivery outcomes, revealed that the Sokoto State Government released a total of ₦365 million for immunization programmes in the 2025 fiscal year.
This release represents a notable improvement in domestic financing for routine immunization and reflects growing government responsiveness to sustained advocacy by AHBN and its Community of Practice (CoP) in the state.
According to the findings, the increased funding contributed to improved support for routine immunization activities, including vaccine logistics, cold chain maintenance, and outreach services targeting hard-to-reach and underserved communities.
The scorecard also noted stronger collaboration between civil society actors and the Sokoto State Primary Health Care Development Agency, which helped elevate immunization financing as a policy priority during the year under review.
However, the scorecard identified significant gaps in budget transparency and data accessibility. While funds were released, detailed information on quarterly disbursements, expenditure breakdowns, and performance outcomes was either limited or not publicly available.
This lack of timely and comprehensive data constrained independent monitoring and evidence-based assessment of how released funds translated into improved immunization coverage, particularly for zero-dose children.
The findings further indicated that documentation linking budget releases to service delivery results remains weak, making it difficult to fully measure value for money and impact at community level.
The scorecard therefore recommended that the Sokoto State Ministry of Budget and Planning institutionalize the regular publication of quarterly budget performance and immunization expenditure reports on official government platforms.
AHBN and its CoP concluded that while Sokoto State has made commendable strides in financing immunization in 2025, strengthening transparency, data systems, and public reporting will be critical to sustaining gains and ensuring equitable access to life-saving vaccines in the years ahead.
