At least 153 people have died from measles in Nigeria between January and November 2025, with more than 19,000 confirmed cases recorded nationwide, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has said.
In its latest measles situation report released on Tuesday, the agency said 19,213 cases were confirmed out of 26,866 suspected infections reported across 507 local government areas in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The report shows that children aged between nine and 59 months accounted for nearly half of all confirmed cases, underscoring the continued vulnerability of young children to vaccine-preventable diseases.
According to the NCDC, more than 77 per cent of those infected had not received a single dose of the measles vaccine, highlighting gaps in routine immunisation coverage.
Five states—Borno, Zamfara, Yobe, Bauchi and Kebbi—accounted for more than 66 per cent of all suspected cases recorded during the period under review, reflecting persistent regional disparities in vaccination uptake and disease surveillance.
In November alone, 47 local government areas across 20 states reported suspected cases. However, the agency said no deaths were recorded from confirmed measles cases during the month. Only Eti-Osa Local Government Area in Lagos State had an active outbreak at the end of November, while outbreaks in 187 LGAs across 27 states had been brought under control.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease spread through coughing, sneezing and close personal contact. The virus can remain infectious in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours, with peak transmissibility occurring from four days before to four days after the appearance of rash.
Health authorities say efforts to curb the disease have intensified following the launch of the Measles–Rubella vaccine introduction and integrated immunisation campaign in October by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu. The campaign is expected to reach about 106 million children aged nine months to 15 years nationwide.
The NCDC has continued to urge state governments, caregivers and communities to prioritise routine immunisation, warning that low vaccine coverage remains the primary driver of measles outbreaks in the country.
