Abuja:Civil society organizations and health advocates have emphasized the need for increased political commitment, financing, and the use of technology to advance Nigeria’s progress toward achieving the 2030 health targets. This was discussed during a meeting on the 2026/2027 Collaborative Advocacy Action Plan (CAAP).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the meeting, held in Abuja, was organized by the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) with support from the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (PMNCH). The CAAP is a component of PMNCH’s strategy to bolster advocacy and accountability for commitments regarding women’s, children’s, and adolescents’ health.
In Nigeria, AHBN is spearheading the 2026/2027 CAAP, which focuses on enhancing advocacy collaborations, influencing policy decisions, improving accountability, and supporting the execution of national health commitments. Dr. Amina Dorayi from Pathfinder International Nigeria highlighted that technology, including Artificial Intelligence,
could be pivotal in accelerating progress toward the 2030 health objectives.
Dorayi underscored the necessity for deliberate investment, effective implementation, and collaboration among various stakeholders to ensure safe pregnancies and deliveries. She stressed that resources need to be directed towards ensuring the availability of health workers, medicines, infrastructure, and essential services, especially in rural and underserved areas.
Furthermore, Dorayi emphasized the importance of collaboration and accountability in addressing maternal deaths, calling for greater accountability in the use of health-sector resources and urging increased investment in primary healthcare centers.
Mrs. Khadija Bobboi, AHBN’s focal point on CAAP implementation, mentioned that the initiative brings together government and civil society organizations to promote health for women, children, and adolescents. The second year of CAAP in Nigeria is concentrating on health financing, collaboration, adolescent health, and the Ma
ternal and Newborn Health Acceleration Plan.
Dr. Ejike Oji, Chairman of the Association for the Advancement of Family Planning, attributed high maternal and newborn mortality rates to inadequate policy implementation and insufficient leadership commitment. He advocated for focused resource allocation to high-burden areas and coordinated advocacy efforts among CSOs to enhance policy engagement effectiveness.
The CAAP meeting also allowed participants to review the Maternal and Newborn Health Acceleration Plan, identify implementation gaps, and agree on key priority areas for joint advocacy, aiming to improve health outcomes comprehensively.