How Northern Emirs Contributed to Eradication of Polio in Nigeria

When unfounded rumours led to a vaccine boycott in Nigeria, some traditional leaders in the north, teamed up with the government to lead the polio campaign on the importance of vaccination. To win the battle, the Emir, Alhaji Samaila Muhammadu Mera, used his position as the custodian of the people to educate the general public in the respective communities on risks posed by poliomyelitis and where need be, used the law to enforce the right of the child. Nigeria, which accounted for more than half of global cases less than a decade ago, is the final African country with no more cases of 'wild' polio.  The Africa Regional Certification Commission declared the continent free of endemic polio after a decades-long campaign against the disease.