To improve health outcomes in Lagos, the State Government and EngenderHealth, a global reproductive health organization, on Monday launched an advocacy project aimed at enhancing Primary HealthCare (PHC) delivery and boost Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) in the state.
The project, titled “Advocacy Solutions to Improve PHC and RMNCAH Delivery and Health Outcomes,” is a collaborative initiative by EngenderHealth with funding from the Gates Foundation, and the Lagos State Ministry of Health supported by key health partners.
Addressing the stakeholders, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, described the project as a timely intervention that would consolidate existing gains in health care delivery and further support the THEMES+ health transformation agenda of the current administration.
Dr. Ogunyemi said, “This project comes at a time when the need to consolidate and expand gains in PHC and RMNCAH+N service delivery is more urgent than ever,”
“Our goal is simple: to ensure every mother, child, adolescent, and family in Lagos has access to quality, affordable healthcare with positive outcomes,” she explained.
The Special Adviser noted that although Lagos has made remarkable progress, a lot still needed to be done, adding that the partnership with EngenderHealth and the Gates Foundation would help identify and strengthen gaps in the system.
“We are in it together—to strengthen what we already have. Mr. Governor has demonstrated unwavering commitment through the THEMES+ agenda,” she added.
She emphasized that the project is built on existing systems with innovative advocacy tools, equity-focused interventions, and community engagement to drive impact.
“This is not just a ceremonial launch; it is a call to action,” she stressed.
Country Director, EngenderHealth, Dr. Kabiru Atta, in his presentation, stated that the initiative will take effect from October 2024 to April 2028, and will focus on policy advocacy, gender-sensitive reforms, and accountability frameworks.
“The project will help the Lagos government prioritize pro-health RMNCAH and PHC agendas, strengthen gender-responsive health policies, and increase budgetary support for these critical areas,” Dr. Atta stated. “It’s also about ensuring every child receives proper nutrition, especially within the critical first 1,000 days of life.”
According to him, the project will use key metrics such as government health spending, workforce capacity, and policy accountability to measure progress.
He emphasized that the long-term impact of improved nutrition and PHC delivery will be seen in better developmental outcomes for Lagos’s future generations.
Dr. Atta also highlighted sustainability as a core project principle. “From day one, we are co-creating with the government and stakeholders to ensure state ownership and long-term continuity beyond 2028,” he noted.
Representing the Gates Foundation, State Consultant Mr. Olakunle Daramola, lauded the Lagos State Government for collaborating with over 20 Gates-funded partner programs in the state.
“This project is a landmark step. The Foundation remains deeply committed to maternal, newborn, and child health, and Lagos continues to be a strategic partner in this vision.”
Daramola said. “Nigeria is critical to Africa’s success, and Lagos, as a leading state, is showing what is possible through innovation and collaboration.”
Daramola described the advocacy project as a vital component of the Foundation’s strategic pillars, pledging continuous support for programs that prioritize equity, access, and accountability in healthcare delivery.
Responding, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Ibrahim Mustafa, underscored the urgency of addressing maternal and child health outcomes despite relatively better statistics in Lagos compared to other parts of the country.
He emphasized that while progress had been made, there was a considerable journey ahead to attain the standards expected of a subnational entity like Lagos.
Mustafa commended the consortium of partners for their continued support, noting the significance of community and religious stakeholder involvement in driving impactful change.
Speaking in the same vein, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos Health District VI, Dr. Abimbola Mabogunje acknowledged the collective efforts required to tackle the challenges in RMNCAH and primary healthcare delivery.
She expressed gratitude to all partners and encouraged continued collaboration to strengthen services in primary health centers and ultimately improve health outcomes, stressing the importance of shared responsibility. “May our collaboration continue to flourish as we work to move the state forward,” she concluded.
Co-Chair of the Lagos State Accountability Mechanism (LASAM) for RMNCAH, Mr. Laundry Sagbo reaffirmed LASAM’s commitment to advancing evidence-based and strategic advocacy.
Sagbo emphasized that strengthening primary healthcare remains one of the most cost-effective pathways to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and that pairing with robust RMNCAH interventions would be transformative.
He recounted LASAM’s contributions over the years, including budget tracking, promoting the availability of life-saving commodities, and deploying community-led scorecards.
Representing the Engender Health-led consortium, Mr. Yemi Abodunrin, Director of Programmes at the Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI), extended appreciation to the Lagos State Government for its warm reception and readiness to partner.
Abodunrin affirmed the consortium’s commitment to working with Lagos to reduce preventable deaths among women and children under five.
“We are delighted to be here in the Centre of Excellence and believe that together, we can achieve lasting impact in health outcomes across the state,” he noted.
Speaking on behalf of the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), the Head of Planning, Research, Monitoring and Evaluation of the Agency.
Mrs. Adetoro Tayo-Adetoro emphasized the agency’s mandate to ensure access to equitable and quality healthcare.
“LASHMA is always delighted to participate in any initiative that focuses on expanding access and quality in health,” she stated.
Tayo-Adetoro affirmed the agency’s readiness to support the implementation of the project and expressed hope for a transformative impact on the health of Lagos residents.
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