Health experts have encouraged people to make smart, informed decisions to support safe motherhood.
They shared this message during Safe Motherhood Day 2025, with the theme: “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures.”
Speaking during the event, a Program Officer at Development Communications Network (DEVCOM), Ms. Suliyat Eletu, emphasized the need to improve healthcare services, reach marginalized communities, and confront the myths and barriers that prevent access to reproductive health care.
“To make sure everyone enjoys good reproductive health, no one should be left behind,” she said.
“We need continued funding, political support, and help from communities so that every woman, man, and young person can get family planning services—no matter where they live.”
Ms. Eletu explained that many women in Nigeria die every year from pregnancy problems that are preventable with proper birth spacing and access to family planning.
She added that when women have access to safe, affordable, and culturally respectful family planning, fewer mothers die, babies are healthier, and families do better.
On his part, Dr. Taiwo Johnson, who leads The Challenge Initiative (TCI) in Nigeria, said safe motherhood starts before labor—with smart choices, family planning, and support from the community.
“Nigeria is now moving from just talking about family planning to actually taking action to save lives,” Dr. Johnson said. TCI is working with state governments to improve access to family planning.
Taiwo added that through partnerships with state governments, TCI is helping expand access to reproductive health services.
Since 2017, the initiative has supported state-led efforts to run evidence-based health programs, reaching underserved communities across the country.
The Project Lead at Development Communications Network, Mr. Onche Odeh said, “Safe motherhood doesn’t just begin in hospitals. It starts with the right conversations, choices, and support from everyone around.”
With better government backing, more funding, and stronger community involvement, safe motherhood is becoming a real possibility in Nigeria—not just a hope.
