Community mobilizers lead a family planning outreach in Jigawa State.
In Jigawa State, Nigeria, childbirth spacing is not just a health intervention – it’s a lifeline. In a region where the average woman is expected to give birth to seven to nine children, maternal and newborn health challenges are immense. For years, communities lacked the resources, knowledge, and support needed to address these challenges. But with the support of The Challenge Initiative (TCI), that reality is beginning to shift. Family planning has become a key priority for local leaders like Dr. Shehu Sambo, Executive Secretary of the Jigawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency. He emphasized the role of family planning in strengthening healthcare at the local level:
Family planning is an integral part of primary healthcare service delivery at the grassroots. If you look at population dynamics and our health indicators, family planning is core in what we do.”
For many years, the state struggled with low demand for family planning services and limited capacity to deliver them. Health workers were not adequately trained, and myths and misconceptions about family planning fueled community resistance. One widespread misunderstanding was the belief that family planning meant families were being advised to stop having children altogether. That narrative is now being challenged. Through a comprehensive package of high-impact interventions, TCI helped Jigawa State address both the demand and supply sides of family planning. Health workers received hands-on coaching, regular performance assessments, and ongoing supportive supervision to strengthen their ability to deliver services effectively. A cascading training model enabled health promotion officers at the local government level to pass on their knowledge to social mobilizers embedded in communities. These social mobilizers became the bridge between health services and the people. Garba Hudu, one of the trained mobilizers, shared how TCI’s approach helped them gain community trust and correct long-standing misconceptions:
With the coming of TCI and the training we received on how to gently approach people and explain what childbirth spacing was all about, we acquired the knowledge and passed it on.”
Hauwa Garba is one of many dedicated social mobilizers who contributed to grassroots community outreach efforts across Jigawa State.
A core component of TCI’s strategy in Jigawa has been social and behavior change communication. From radio broadcasts and television segments to print media and social media campaigns, the goal has been to spread accurate, life-saving information and shift public perception. Religious leaders were also engaged to help contextualize family planning within local faith traditions. One influential message came from a Hadith that acknowledges the blessings of many children, but also allows flexibility in times of hardship or need. Muhammadu Sale Korau, a respected local religious leader, described the nuance needed in these conversations:
When we approached someone with this understanding and encouraged him to practice family planning, it was, of course, difficult for the community to accept the message. However, if approached differently, people could understand that what was normally prohibited could be allowed in times of emergency.”
Building strong, trusting relationships at the community level proved to be essential in changing minds. Social mobilizer Hauwa Gaba explained how trust made all the difference in overcoming resistance:
We faced challenges in convincing some people to accept family planning, but…we build good relationships with them. At that point, we no longer faced resistance when offering our advice. In fact, people began coming to our houses willingly to seek guidance.”
As demand for services increased, the state government responded. Jigawa has now included funding for family planning commodities in its 2025 budget – a critical step in sustaining progress and ensuring consistent availability of supplies. Perhaps the most encouraging sign of progress is how much access to family planning has improved. Dr. Sambo reflected on the transformation:
Before the coming of TCI, we had issues with demand and capacity. So now, the partnership has improved access to family planning as well as capacity to deliver key family. planning services in our primary health centers.”
The impact on individuals and families is profound. For women like Maryam Isma’il, family planning is not just about spacing births; it is about securing a healthier future for herself and her children:
I came to receive an injection so that I can create space between births and protect both myself and my children from the burden of frequent childbirth. This gave us the opportunity to educate and train our children properly.”
Jigawa’s journey shows what is possible when government commitment, community leadership, and targeted technical support come together. With continued guidance from TCI and increasing local ownership, family planning in Jigawa is no longer a taboo subject. It is a powerful, accepted tool for empowering families and saving lives. Watch the video to see how Jigawa State is improving lives by making family planning services more accessible and widely accepted across communities.
