Rotary Foundation renews its pledge to improve maternal and child health in Nigeria through the $5m Together for Healthy Families programme

The Rotary Foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing maternal and child health in Nigeria through its flagship initiative, Together for Healthy Families in Nigeria.

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Speaking in Abuja after an interactive session with the Rotary Action Group for Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health, the Foundation’s Chair, Holger Knaack, described the programme as one of Rotary’s most impactful interventions in Africa.

Knaack, who was accompanied by his wife Suzanne, expressed satisfaction with the remarkable progress recorded under the initiative, noting that it has significantly reduced maternal and infant mortality in participating communities.

“What we are seeing here is the result of more than 25 years of collaboration among Rotarians, volunteers, and government health officials,” he said.

“Together, we have achieved a meaningful reduction in maternal and child deaths that is the true impact of partnership.”

He explained that Rotary’s global strategy focuses on large-scale, measurable projects that deliver lasting social change. “Our goal is always impact.

It’s not just about doing good, but about doing the right thing and being able to measure it. Bigger projects have greater, measurable results,” he said.

The Together for Healthy Families in Nigeria programme, valued at $2 million, has since attracted additional partnerships and funding.

According to Knaack, collaboration with international partners, including Germany, has increased total investment to nearly $5 million, while the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation has pledged another $5 million over the coming years to sustain progress.

Also speaking, Ijeoma Pearl Okoro, Trustee of the Rotary Foundation, described the initiative as a milestone achievement for Nigeria, noting that it is only the second Programme of Scale approved globally by the Foundation.

“I’m delighted that Nigeria was selected, and that implementation started strongly,” she said. “We are already seeing tangible improvements in maternal and child care. The next phase will extend the programme beyond the pilot locations.”

The National Coordinator, Prof. Adedolapo Emmanuel Lufadeju, said the programme aims to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality by 25%, while improving systemic access to life-saving health services.

He disclosed that the initiative, launched in November 2022, began operations across four states — the FCT, Nasarawa, Gombe, and Ekiti covering 49 health facilities.

“Owing to the success recorded, by July 2025, we expanded to 103 facilities,” he said. “This impact goes beyond mothers and children; it strengthens entire communities.”

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As Rotary continues to mobilise global partners, the Together for Healthy Families in Nigeria programme stands as a powerful symbol of sustained humanitarian collaboration and measurable progress in public health.