The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported that 19,213 measles cases have been confirmed out of 26,866 suspected cases recorded across 507 local government areas in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The agency also disclosed that 153 deaths linked to the disease had been recorded nationwide as of November 2025.
The figures were contained in the NCDC’s measles situation report released to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday.
Measles is described as a highly contagious viral illness characterised by fever, red rash, cough, and reddening of the eyes. It spreads through coughing and sneezing, direct contact with respiratory secretions or aerosols, and close personal interaction. The virus can survive in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours, with peak infectiousness occurring from four days before the rash appears to four days after.
According to the report:
“In November 2025, Delta (13), Kwara (6), Bayelsa (6), Jigawa (6), and Akwa Ibom (5) accounted for 50.7 per cent of the 71 suspected cases reported. Of the suspected cases reported, 1 (1.41 per cent) was confirmed (1 lab-confirmed; 0 epi-linked; 0 clinically compatible), 7 (9.86 per cent) were discarded, and 63 (88.73 per cent) were pending.
“A total of 47 LGAs across 20 states reported at least one suspected case. Zero deaths were recorded from confirmed cases.”
The report further stated that between January and November 2025, Borno (7,968), Zamfara (4,779), Yobe (2,076), Bauchi (1,574), and Kebbi (1,357) accounted for 66.10 per cent of the total suspected cases nationwide.
It added:
“Of the suspected cases reported, 19,213 (71.51 per cent) were confirmed (2,791 lab-confirmed, 2,013 epi-linked, and 14,409 clinically compatible), 6,440 (23.78 per cent) were discarded, and 1,213 (3.38 per cent) were pending classification.
“The age group 9–59 months accounted for 9,399 (48.92 per cent) of all confirmed cases. A total of 153 deaths (CFR = 0.8 per cent) were recorded among confirmed cases.
“Up to 14,801 (77.04 per cent) of the 19,213 confirmed cases did not receive any dose of the measles vaccine (‘zero dose’).”
According to the NCDC, measles outbreaks were recorded in 188 LGAs across 27 states between January and November 2025.
The report noted:
“In November, only one LGA (Eti-Osa in Lagos State) had an ongoing measles outbreak.
“No LGA reported a new outbreak in November. Meanwhile, 187 LGAs across 27 states had ended their outbreaks as of the end of November 2025.”
Meanwhile, on October 6, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu launched the Measles-Rubella vaccine introduction and integrated immunisation campaign.
She said the campaign is expected to reach about 106 million children aged between nine months and under 15 years, to be implemented in two phases.
The First Lady described the initiative as the largest health campaign in Africa’s history, aimed at protecting millions of children and adolescents from measles, rubella, and other vaccine-preventable diseases. The programme also incorporates polio vaccination and the rollout of the HPV vaccine for adolescent girls.