The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned that cholera remains endemic in Nigeria, posing a major health threat, particularly to children, as the rainy season intensifies across West and Central Africa.
Gilles Fagninou, UNICEF’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa, raised the alarm on Wednesday, revealing that Nigeria recorded 3,109 suspected cholera cases and 86 deaths across 34 states by the end of June 2025. This makes Nigeria the second most affected country in the region, trailing only the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
“Cholera remains endemic in Nigeria, with the country experiencing repeated major outbreaks in recent years,” Fagninou said.
He explained that the combination of heavy rainfall, widespread flooding, and mass displacement is heightening the risk of cholera transmission, especially among vulnerable children. According to him, around 80,000 children across the region are at high risk of contracting the disease.
In the DRC, the worst-hit country, over 38,000 cases and 951 deaths have already been reported in July alone, with children under five accounting for nearly 26 percent of infections. Other countries battling ongoing outbreaks include Chad, Republic of Congo, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo, while Niger, Benin, Liberia, Central African Republic, and Cameroon remain under high alert.
Cholera, a severe diarrhoeal infection caused by ingesting contaminated food or water, can be fatal within hours if left untreated. Although it can be managed with oral rehydration and antibiotics, limited access to clean water and healthcare continues to make outbreaks deadly.
“Young children are particularly vulnerable due to poor hygiene, unsafe water, and a higher risk of dehydration,” Fagninou noted.
To address the crisis, UNICEF has deployed emergency health, water, hygiene, and sanitation supplies to affected communities, supported vaccination drives, and launched awareness campaigns promoting hygiene and early treatment.
“We are in a race against time to save lives,” Fagninou said. “UNICEF is working closely with governments and partners to reach underserved communities with essential services and protect children from preventable deaths.”
He stressed the need for urgent action, calling for $20 million in emergency funding over the next three months to scale up critical health, water, sanitation, and risk communication efforts across West and Central Africa.
