FCTA Threatens Sanctions as Abuja Schools Block Access to Measles-Rubella, Polio Vaccination Teams

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has issued a stern warning to schools across Abuja, vowing to impose administrative sanctions on any institution that denies access to government vaccination teams. The FCTA condemned the non-compliance as not just an administrative lapse, but a direct violation of children’s fundamental rights.

The warning was delivered on Thursday by the Mandate Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, during a press conference focused on enforcing child immunisation compliance in FCT schools.

Dr. Fasawe expressed deep concern over reports that several schools and institutions had actively refused entry to vaccination teams during the ongoing massive Integrated Measles-Rubella, Polio, and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign, which is slated to run until February 2026.

“It has come to our attention that several schools and institutions within the FCT refused access to vaccination teams,” Dr. Fasawe stated. “This non-compliance not only denied eligible children protection against measles and rubella but also disrupted the daily implementation plans of the campaign. Such actions are deeply concerning because they undermine public health gains and put our children at unnecessary risk.”

The Mandate Secretary reminded all stakeholders that the Child Rights Act (CRA) of 2003, as domesticated in the FCT, legally guarantees every child the right to health and protection from preventable diseases. She emphasised that Sections 13 and 14 of the Act place a clear legal obligation on institutions, including schools, to ensure full immunisation.

To enforce compliance, the FCTA has directed all public and private schools to immediately implement mandatory measures, including verification of immunisation records during admissions and maintaining a Child Health Register. Failure to comply with these directives, Fasawe warned, will now attract significant administrative sanctions under existing FCT Education and Public Health Regulations.