A team from the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare meets with local stakeholders during a 2024 advocacy visit.
Imagine a young mother in Nigeria, struggling to support her family while facing the health risks of frequent pregnancies. Now imagine that same woman, equipped with the knowledge and resources to plan her future, improve her health, and create a better life for her children. This is the transformative vision that drives The Challenge Initiative (TCI) – a vision rooted in empowerment, local ownership, and sustainable change.
TCI’s impact in Nigeria goes far beyond numbers. Behind every data point is a person whose life has been changed by stronger, community-led family planning systems. It’s not just about increasing access to contraception – it’s about building resilient health systems through local leadership, capacity building, and data-driven decision-making.
Data is the backbone of TCI’s approach. It guides every decision – from identifying underserved areas to tracking progress and refining strategies in real time. This evidence-based model ensures that resources are allocated efficiently, maximizing impact and improving health outcomes for families across Nigeria.
Strengthening Health Systems Empowers Communities
At the core of TCI’s success is its emphasis on strengthening public health systems and empowering local communities. TCI trains community health workers and social mobilizers to become trusted local champions – providing accurate information about family planning, making referrals to nearby health facilities, and supporting individuals in making informed reproductive health choices.
These champions are changing norms and breaking down barriers by reaching people where they live and work. Their grassroots presence helps normalize family planning conversations and builds trust at the community level.
Capacity building reinforces this progress. TCI equips healthcare workers with ongoing training and mentorship, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, client-centered family planning services. This approach guarantees that women and families not only gain access to care today but benefit from strong, sustained services for the future.
Local Ownership Drives Long-term Change
TCI’s vision extends beyond service delivery – it’s about building a lasting system that local governments can lead and sustain. In states that have graduated from TCI’s direct support, such as Ogun, Gombe, Delta, and Bauchi, governments are taking ownership by allocating their own resources to continue family planning programming, ensuring steady commodity supply and uninterrupted services.
In 2024, TCI’s active states of Lagos, Adamawa, Borno, Osun, Edo, Kwara, Sokoto, Jigawa, Akwa Ibom, and Yobe collectively released more than $895,000 to support family planning implementation and service delivery – a strong signal of growing political will and accountability.
This shift toward local investment marks a critical step forward. With stronger leadership, financial commitment, and local systems in place, these states are well-positioned to sustain and expand the progress made.
As TCI continues its work across Nigeria, the path forward is clear: deeper investment in local capacity and stronger government ownership will be key to long-term success. The ripple effect of TCI’s model is already visible – healthier families, more empowered communities, and governments leading the way.
