The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), through the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF), has supplied three million bottles of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) to enhance maternal health in Nigeria. An additional three million bottles are expected in 2025 to support more pregnant women.
With 12 million pregnancies annually, Nigeria faces severe maternal health challenges, including one of the world’s highest maternal mortality rates at 1,047 deaths per 100,000 live births. Many newborns also suffer from low birth weight or premature delivery, increasing the risk of infant mortality.
Findings from the National Food Consumption and Micronutrient Survey (2024) indicate widespread deficiencies in iron, zinc, vitamin A, and folate among Nigerian pregnant women, significantly impacting maternal health and birth outcomes.
The first batch of MMS, donated by Kirk Humanitarian Foundation, was distributed during the 2024 Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW). The 2025 batch, also provided by Kirk Humanitarian, aims to broaden coverage and ensure more pregnant women receive essential nutrients.
UNICEF Nigeria Representative, Cristian Munduate, emphasized the critical role of maternal nutrition in reducing maternal mortality and improving child health.
“Ensuring pregnant women receive the necessary micronutrients is a vital step in reducing maternal mortality and improving child health. This donation supports Nigeria’s efforts to prioritize maternal health.”
Professor Mohammed Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, highlighted the government’s commitment to addressing maternal nutrition challenges through the inclusion of MMS in the Essential Medicines List and investments in local production.
To ensure widespread MMS availability, Federal and State Governments are encouraged to invest in procurement through the Child Nutrition Fund’s 1:1 match funding mechanism.
“Nigeria is taking decisive steps to ensure sustainable access to MMS for all pregnant women. Expanding this initiative will significantly improve maternal and child health outcomes,” Pate stated.
Spencer Kirk, Founder of Kirk Humanitarian, reaffirmed his organization’s dedication to scaling up MMS availability in Nigeria.
“Providing MMS at scale is one of the most impactful ways to support healthy pregnancies and ensure better outcomes for mothers and babies,” Kirk said.
Nigeria is among the first countries to include MMS in its Essential Medicines List and invest in local manufacturing, ensuring long-term accessibility.
The Child Nutrition Fund, managed by UNICEF, is supported by global partners, including the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office, the Gates Foundation, and Kirk Humanitarian.
This initiative aims to establish a sustainable financing model, ensuring more pregnant women receive essential micronutrients for healthier pregnancies and improved birth outcomes.
