Nigeria Health Watch, in partnership with ACIOE Foundation and with support from MSD for Mothers, has commenced a new phase of the Maternal Health Advocacy and Communications (MHAC) Project, aimed at advancing policy action, strategic communications and sustainable investment in proven maternal health interventions across Nigeria.

The 24-month initiative, running from September 2026 to August 2028, builds on the foundation established during the first phase of the project, which engaged national and subnational stakeholders across Ekiti, Kaduna and Lagos States. The new phase will focus on translating evidence generated through MSD for Mothers-supported interventions into stronger policy commitments, institutional adoption, sustainable financing and scale-up.

Nigeria continues to face a significant maternal health challenge, with persistent gaps in health financing, quality of care and equitable access to essential maternal health services. While important government reforms and initiatives are underway, sustained improvements in maternal health outcomes will require stronger implementation of existing commitments and greater institutionalisation of interventions that have demonstrated potential to improve care.

“The next phase of the Maternal Health Advocacy and Communications Project is about translating evidence into action. We want promising innovations and approaches to move beyond isolated projects and become part of government systems, backed by sustainable financing and embedded in the policies and implementation frameworks that shape maternal healthcare delivery for women and families across Nigeria,” said Vivianne Ihekweazu, Managing Director, Nigeria Health Watch.

From evidence to institutionalisation

Under Phase 2, Nigeria Health Watch will lead the communications component of the project, while ACIOE Foundation will lead advocacy activities. Together, the organisations will work with six MSD for Mothers collaborators in Nigeria to advance their respective advocacy priorities through coordinated stakeholder engagement, evidence dissemination, policy dialogue and strategic communications.

The project will focus on advancing policy and financing priorities across several areas of maternal health, including:

• Digital health: Supporting the integration of mDoc’s evidence on AI-enabled maternal healthcare into digital health policy and implementation, particularly in Lagos and Ekiti States.
• Quality improvement: Supporting the institutionalisation and scale-up of Project Aisha’s maternal healthcare Quality Improvement model from Lagos to Kaduna and Kano States.
• Maternal health financing: Strengthening advocacy for increased public and private investment through the Maternal Health Fund in Lagos and Kano States.
• PPMV accreditation: Supporting efforts by PACS to secure regulatory endorsement of its Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMV) Accreditation Programme.
• Postpartum haemorrhage care: Advancing the adoption, financing and institutionalisation of the Comprehensive Postpartum Haemorrhage Care Bundle and Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response.
• Strategic purchasing: Supporting evidence-informed maternal health purchasing and financing decisions in Lagos State through engagement with the Lagos State Health Management Agency and other stakeholders.

Putting communications at the centre of policy change

As communications lead for the project, Nigeria Health Watch will use its platforms and communications expertise to amplify evidence, strengthen public and policy conversations around maternal health, and increase visibility for the work of the MSD for Mothers collaborators.

The project will also leverage strategic convenings, including the Future of Health Conference, a Celebrating Womanhood Art Gala, maternal health roundtables and other relevant national and international health meetings to bring evidence, policymakers, implementers, private-sector actors, professional bodies and civil society together around shared maternal health priorities.

With Phase 2 now underway, Nigeria Health Watch and ACIOE Foundation will work alongside MSD for Mothers collaborators and stakeholders across Nigeria to help translate evidence into policy action, strengthen accountability and support a health system where women can access quality maternal healthcare when and where they need it.

About Nigeria Health Watch

Nigeria Health Watch is a Nigerian non-profit organisation that uses evidence-based advocacy and communications to improve health outcomes in Nigeria. Through research, strategic communications, media engagement, policy advocacy and capacity strengthening, Nigeria Health Watch works with partners and stakeholders to ensure that health remains central to national development conversations and decision-making.

Media Contact:
Maureen Moneke
Email: mmoneke@nigeriahealthwatch.com
Telephone: 07085014676