2025 Motherhood Day: TCI Calls for Increased Investment in Family Planning

The Challenge Initiative (TCI)/Devcom, a non-governmental organisation, has called for sustained investment, political commitment, and community-led action to ensure that family planning services reach target populations, regardless of their location in Nigeria.

Dr Taiwo Johnson, Country Team Lead for TCI Nigeria, made this appeal in a statement issued as part of their efforts to mark this year’s Safe Motherhood Day.

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Dr Johnson commended Nigeria’s dedication to enhancing access to services and ensuring the provision of sufficient resources for sustained service delivery.

“What we are witnessing in Nigeria today is a bold transition from awareness to action, from pledges to programmes that genuinely save lives.

“With increasing political commitment, sustainable funding, and grassroots engagement, Nigeria is closer than ever to transforming safe motherhood from an aspirational goal into a tangible reality,” he stated.

According to Dr Johnson, as the world observes Safe Motherhood Day 2025 under the theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” Nigeria celebrates a quiet yet significant revolution in safeguarding the lives of mothers and children: the increase in access to family planning and childbirth spacing services nationwide.

“At the core of this progress lies The Challenge Initiative (TCI), a tested model that empowers local governments to sustainably scale reproductive health solutions,” he added.

Dr Johnson emphasised that safe motherhood begins well before labour; it commences with informed choices, timely access to family planning, and a community that supports women at every stage of their reproductive journey.

He noted that TCI, in collaboration with over a dozen state governments, is making motherhood safer, families healthier, and futures brighter.

“Across Nigeria, states are translating family planning commitments into visible advancements through governmental leadership, community involvement, youth-centred services, and strategic partnerships. There are promising signs of progress.

“Health facilities are experiencing improved client trust, local governments are mobilising resources to extend services to more communities, and advocacy efforts are shaping public perceptions—particularly through youth engagement, male participation, and outreach to underserved populations.

“Even in complex humanitarian settings, family planning services are being integrated with maternal health services, ensuring continuity of care,” he remarked.

Dr Johnson urged implementing states to maintain momentum by fortifying service delivery, broadening access to marginalised groups, and addressing persistent myths and barriers.

The TCI Country Lead further assured continued support to enable states to lead their own transformations in reproductive health.