By Atoyebi Nike
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has ranked Nigeria as the second most affected country by cholera in West and Central Africa, with 3,109 suspected cases and 86 deaths recorded across 34 states by the end of June 2025.
UNICEF’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Gilles Fagninou, disclosed this on Wednesday, describing Nigeria’s cholera outbreak as endemic and a growing crisis for children in the region.
He warned that nearly 80,000 children are currently at high risk as the rainy season, flooding, and widespread displacement increase the threat of transmission.
“Cholera remains endemic in Nigeria, with the country experiencing recurrent major outbreaks in recent years,” Fagninou said, noting that children under five are especially vulnerable due to poor hygiene, inadequate sanitation, and lack of access to clean water.
While the Democratic Republic of Congo tops the regional list with over 38,000 cases and 951 deaths, other countries facing epidemics include Chad, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and the Republic of Congo, with Niger, Benin, Liberia, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic under close monitoring.
Fagninou said UNICEF is working closely with governments and partners, providing emergency health supplies, supporting cholera vaccinations, and promoting hygiene education. He stressed that the agency urgently needs $20 million in the next three months to scale up its response.
“We are in a race against time to ensure access to safe water, proper nutrition and essential healthcare for children at risk,” Fagninou added.
