Nigeria: Seven Organisations Pledge $65m to Reduce Maternal, Newborn Deaths in Nigeria

What the report says

Seven private sector and philanthropic organisations have proposed more than $65 million in commitments to support maternal and newborn health services in Nigeria, according to Premium Times, which reported the announcement was made on Wednesday during the 2026 Joint Annual Review of the health sector in Abuja. The organisations named in the report are DP World, Bayer, UNICEF, dsm-firmenich, Nestlé Nutrition Institute, Roche and Ferring Pharmaceuticals.

The pledge is tied to the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative, or MAMII, a government-led compact intended to coordinate funding, supplies, technical assistance and logistics support for areas with heavy mortality burdens. The reported focus is 172 local government areas across 33 states, where the programme says more than half of Nigeria’s maternal deaths occur. The initiative is designed to improve emergency obstetric and newborn care, referrals, transport, essential medicines and staffing.

Premium Times said the announcement comes against the backdrop of persistently high maternal and newborn deaths in Nigeria. The article cited estimates of about 40,000 maternal deaths and 300,000 newborn deaths each year, though these figures were presented in the statement released after the event. Health Minister Muhammad Pate said the effort fits within the country’s broader health sector reform agenda and is meant to align investments with national priorities.

The report also noted that government officials unveiled a digital platform to track partner contributions and identify service gaps, although it remains in prototype form. Additional partners mentioned in the coverage included the Gates Foundation, MTN Foundation, MSD for Mothers and the World Economic Forum, which are said to be supporting related efforts through technology, training and coordination.