The Nigerian Government has stepped up efforts to tackle challenges affecting women’s health in the country, unveiling a coordinated plan led by the Ministry of Health and the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Women’s Health (OSSAP-WH).
Senior Special Assistant, Adanna Steinacker, said the initiative seeks to prioritise women’s health nationwide, stressing that improved health outcomes for women are central to Nigeria’s overall development. The announcement came during a policy session in Abuja, which brought together women leaders, NGOs, and advocacy groups to discuss strategies for action.
Central to the initiative is RenewHER, a programme launched by President Bola Tinubu in September 2025. The programme, short for Health, Equity, and Reform, aims to unify government efforts on women’s health, strengthen public awareness, and ensure that policies are effectively implemented across the country.
Steinacker explained that RenewHER focuses on three key areas:
– Education and Awareness: Using digital platforms and advocacy campaigns to close knowledge gaps, ensuring women and girls can access and understand health services available to them.
– Targeted Regional Interventions: Designing campaigns specific to different regions to address local health priorities in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.
– Partnership and Collaboration: Building networks through symposia, summits, and coalitions to foster cooperation among stakeholders and advance women’s health initiatives.
Steinacker emphasised that the programme is designed to break institutional barriers, with government agencies working together to make women’s health a shared national priority.
Mandate Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Adedolapo Fasawe, also reaffirmed her office’s support, pledging active participation in efforts to improve women’s access to quality health care and overall wellbeing.
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