Table 2 Perceived challenges and benefits of working with PEI, according to sampled Nigerian health workers

Challenges working with PEI

Increased workload

“What made my work harder is because of polio activities. It usually comes in three phases. It comes with planning cycle, that planning is very big, it consumes a lot of time, then the implementation itself, though implementation is only four days…” (Sub-national level worker, Nasarawa)

“It is hard to work with polio program…” (National level worker, Abuja)

Inter-agency rivalry

It’s sometimes difficult because sometimes other partners may have their agenda and they want to do things this way and then it causes confusion on the field because our team will be saying but WHO is doing this and why aren’t we doing it?” (National level worker, Abuja)

Role conflict

There are times whereby there are clashes of activities, there may be a program (polio eradication), side by side with another equally very important program, so in that case, there are lots of clashes and you know it’s always not easy”(Sub-national level worker, Nasarawa)

Perceived benefits of working with PEI

Improved professional capacity

“It (working with PEI) makes your life easier because it gives you the capacities, it gives you the right understanding of knowing the things and it gives you the proactive approach” (National level worker, Abuja)

“What I feel is my biggest achievement is building the capacity of people… we were able to bring out great committed people who learned on the job” (National level worker, Abuja)

Improved coordination

“It (PEI) made it easier because we can speak with one voice at the national (level) and pass the information to the state and LGA level.” (National level worker, Abuja)

Contribution to other programs

“…And you got into the situation where your opinion was sought on almost everything even outside the polio program… we were health advisors on every other thing” (National level worker, Abuja)