FIC Report (Ondo State) – In a concerted effort to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality by 30% by the year 2027, the Ondo State Government, in partnership with the Federal Government, has organized a five-day workshop for key stakeholders in the health sector. The workshop aims to develop a strategic framework for tackling maternal and neonatal deaths in the state.
The programme, tagged “Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiative (MAMMI) Co-Creation,” is designed to provide an overview of the MAMMI intervention suite, clarify the roles and responsibilities of the state for effective implementation, and facilitate deep-dive visits to communities. These visits are intended to identify barriers contributing to maternal and neonatal mortality across selected priority Local Government Areas.
The initiative also seeks to co-create state-specific intervention strategies and activate actionable plans based on insights gathered from the field, while securing stakeholder commitment for effective programme execution.
Delivering the keynote address, the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to significantly reducing maternal mortality through ongoing health sector reforms. He highlighted the upgrading of 102 Primary Healthcare Centres as part of efforts to enhance healthcare delivery across the state.
The Governor described the MAMMI initiative as a transformative programme capable of lowering maternal and newborn mortality rates. He commended the Federal Government for the initiative, noting that the state’s participation underscores its commitment to safeguarding the lives of women and children in all communities.
He emphasized that improving health outcomes requires deliberate and sustained investment, not only in infrastructure but also in the welfare of healthcare workers and the general population. According to him, reducing maternal and neonatal mortality demands intentional policy measures, a responsive health system, continuous community engagement, and a skilled, motivated workforce.
The Governor expressed optimism that the outcomes of the five-day co-creation workshop would produce locally relevant and impactful interventions.
Speaking at the event, the Director of the Child Health Division at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Amina Muhammed, described MAMMI as a strategic tool for improving maternal and neonatal care in Nigeria. She noted that the country continues to face high rates of maternal and neonatal mortality, particularly among preterm and low birth weight infants.
She revealed that Nigeria ranks third globally in the number of preterm births, with approximately 773,600 cases annually, while an estimated 274,000 deaths were recorded in 2022. According to her, complications from preterm births remain the leading cause of under-five mortality, accounting for one in three such deaths.
She added that the workshop marks a critical step toward activating the MAMMI initiative in Ondo State, noting that 33 states and 171 Local Government Areas have been identified as high-burden regions for maternal and newborn mortality in Nigeria.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Ministry of Health, Adeniran Ikuomola, noted that the state has previously implemented successful interventions such as the Abiye and Agbebiye programmes, which received international recognition and accolades.
He disclosed that the MAMMI intervention will be implemented in five Local Government Areas: Ese-Odo, Akure South, Ifedore, Ondo West, and Owo.
In his remarks, the Adapogun of Ipogun, Raphael Oluwadare Ojo, appealed to the Federal Government to extend the programme to other Local Government Areas in the state to ensure the total elimination of maternal and neonatal mortality.
Akinbiola Funmilayo
Federal Information Centre, Akure
16th April 2026
