FG moves to strengthen women’s health services
The Federal Government is stepping up efforts to strengthen women’s health services across Nigeria by coordinating national policies, scaling partnerships and prioritising interventions that address critical gaps in maternal, reproductive and general healthcare for women and girls. The initiative, launched under the newly created Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Women’s Health (OSSAP-WH), reflects a broader push by Abuja to improve maternal outcomes, reduce mortality and embed women’s health as a core component of national development planning. 
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Women’s Health, Dr Adanna Steinacker, said the government is adopting a nationwide approach to ensure women’s health is prioritised and effectively coordinated among multiple stakeholders, including ministries, NGOs, development partners and community leaders. The announcement followed a national stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja convened by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to outline strategic priorities and align efforts to expand health access for women and girls. FG moves to strengthen women’s health services
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu first flagged the government’s commitment to women’s wellbeing in September 2025 with the launch of the RenewHER women’s health transformation initiative, a presidential programme intended to drive national action on maternal mortality, adolescent health, preventive services and broader women’s health outcomes. The programme was formally launched at the State House, with an emphasis on collaboration at all levels of government and partnership with international organisations. 
Why Women’s Health Matters Now
Nigeria continues to grapple with high maternal and child mortality, low utilisation of reproductive health services and persistent gaps in quality care, especially in rural areas. While progress has been made under health sector reform efforts, such as improved antenatal care attendance and expanded family planning uptake, these gains are uneven and require sustained policy focus and investment to reach all women. A government report in late 2025 indicated a measurable drop in maternal and newborn deaths in priority areas, but officials cautioned that much work remains to translate national reforms into tangible results at the grassroots level. 
Experts say that strengthening women’s health services isn’t just a medical issue but a development imperative. Adequate access to quality reproductive services, skilled birth attendance and effective primary healthcare contribute to economic growth, stable families and healthier communities. The World Health Organization (WHO) and other global health partners have repeatedly highlighted the link between maternal health and national prosperity, urging governments to target interventions that reduce barriers to care. 
https://ogelenews.ng/fg-moves-to-strengthen-womens-health-services
What the Government Is Doing
At the Abuja meeting, Dr Steinacker outlined a multi-pronged strategy designed to knit together policy, financing and service delivery across Nigeria’s health system. The government’s approach includes:
- High-Level Coordination:
The OSSAP-WH is tasked with bringing together ministries such as Health and Social Welfare, Women Affairs, local governments and traditional leaders to align programmes that support women’s health outcomes. The office aims to ensure women’s health priorities are reflected in national and state health plans. - Stakeholder Engagement:
Women’s groups, NGOs and health advocates were invited to the first national stakeholders’ meeting to identify barriers to care and propose priority interventions. Participants highlighted gaps in awareness, access to quality services and the need for culturally sensitive outreach in underserved communities. - Advocacy and Health Education:
Recognising widespread misinformation and low health literacy in parts of Nigeria, the government plans targeted campaigns to educate women and families about preventive care, maternal services and available support. These campaigns will leverage media, community networks and digital platforms to extend outreach. - Partnerships for Service Strengthening:
The RenewHER initiative emphasises partnerships with international bodies, private sector actors and civil society to mobilise resources, technical support and innovation in service delivery for women’s health. Officials say public-private cooperation will be essential for scaling quality care.
Expanding Access and Building Capacity
Officials at the meeting acknowledged that improvements in women’s health services must go beyond policy pronouncements to include measurable expansion of clinical capacity, workforce training and improved infrastructure. A report by the Federal Ministry of Health shows that existing programmes, such as expanded health insurance payouts and heightened investment in primary health centres, are part of the government’s continuing efforts to broaden access to care. 
Previous government initiatives to strengthen health worker capacity, especially in areas such as gynaecological care, highlight the need to equip clinicians with the skills required to deliver complex services and address shortages in trained personnel across states. Collaboration with international partners in training workshops and workforce development is expected to continue under the renewed focus on women’s health. 
Moreover, federal programmes to revitalise primary healthcare infrastructure and expand the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) have helped shore up the foundation of service delivery for maternal and reproductive health. These reforms, which include increased funding and better facility functionality, are essential for improving outcomes, particularly in rural and underserved communities. 
Challenges Ahead
Despite the government’s stated commitment and emerging gains, Nigeria still faces significant challenges. Persistent barriers such as cultural norms, geographic disparities in service access, insufficient health financing and workforce shortages continue to undermine progress. A policy brief on reproductive and maternity services notes that utilisation of care remains low in some regions due to socio-economic and educational barriers, pointing to the need for sustained community engagement and targeted policy responses. 
Civil society groups and health advocates have also underscored the need for enhanced data systems, stronger supply chains, and monitoring mechanisms to ensure accountability and track progress on women’s health indicators. Without robust evaluation and measurement tools, gaps in service delivery risk persisting despite policy commitments at the federal level.
Voices from the Field
Participants at the national stakeholders’ meeting included representatives from grassroots women’s organisations who emphasised the importance of culturally relevant services and community dialogues to break down barriers to care. Many echoed the view that “strengthening women’s health services” must be paired with efforts to empower women financially and socially, as wider socio-economic vulnerabilities often intersect with poor health outcomes. 
Health administrators at state and local levels also highlighted increasing demand for quality services, particularly in areas such as antenatal care, family planning and safe delivery services. They expressed optimism that the renewed governmental focus and multi-stakeholder cooperation could pave the way for more accessible, affordable and acceptable health services for women nationwide.
Looking Ahead
Strengthening women’s health services remains a priority not just for the Federal Government but for national development. As Nigeria continues to pursue broader health sector reforms, the focus on women and girls’ wellbeing signals an understanding that improving maternal health, expanding reproductive services and enhancing access to quality care are essential components of social progress.
The renewed commitment from Abuja, reflected in coordinated engagements, strategic planning and collaborative action, suggests a long-term effort to transform women’s health outcomes. Whether these plans translate into measurable improvements in maternal mortality, service utilisation and community wellbeing will depend on sustained political will, adequate funding and effective implementation at all levels of government.
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FG moves to strengthen women’s health services
