In Nigeria since 1965.

In 1965, Pathfinder helped establish the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria and provided the first grant in family planning to the Nigerian Ministry of Health for pilot work in northern communities. Since that date, Pathfinder has worked with the government, community-based organizations, the private sector, faith-based institutions, and communities themselves to strengthen health systems and delivery of sexual and reproductive health care. We have reached some of Nigeria’s most underserved people with reproductive health care, including first-time mothers, refugee communities, and families in rural areas. Today, we are part of a nationwide effort to increase acceptance of and access to COVID-19 vaccines.

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Each year, an estimated 58,000 women die from complications in pregnancy and childbirth—more than any other country.

DHS Nigeria, 2018

57% of Nigerian women give birth without a skilled birth attendant.

DHS Nigeria, 2018

More than 40% of the population are children under the age of 15 years.

UNFPA, 2021

19% of teenage women aged 15-19 have begun childbearing; 14% have given birth, and 4% are pregnant with their first child.

What We Do in Nigeria

Make sure women can access quality, respectful maternal care from their home to the health facility.
Mobilize communities to identify danger signs and activate emergency transport systems, so pregnant women reach health facilities when the need arises.
Create innovative digital health tools that help providers deliver quality services more effectively.
Make sure a full range of contraceptive methods is available, so people of all ages can choose the option that’s best for them.
Train providers to deliver quality health care to young people, including HIV services for adolescents and young mothers.
Work with policymakers to create policies and make budget decisions that uphold people’s sexual and reproductive rights.
Work in communities and health facilities to promote vaccine confidence, improve equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, and strengthen accountability mechanisms for delivery.

Statistics

At the close of the Saving Mothers, Giving Life project in 2020, there was a 66% reduction in the maternal mortality rate and a 47% reduction in the perinatal mortality rate in supported health facilities.
In FY2021, Pathfinder programs supported HIV testing for 94,864 individuals.
In FY2021, Pathfinder programs supported 76,561 antenatal care visits.

Discover Our Projects

Regional Cervical Cancer Prevention

Cervical cancer is one of the world’s deadliest—but most easily preventable—forms of cancer for women, responsible for more than 270,000 deaths annually, 85% of which occur in developing...

Scaling up Clinical & Community Action to Address Maternal Health

Fully 20% of maternal deaths worldwide occur in Nigeria. That translates to 58,000 Nigerian women dying each year as a result of pregnancy or pregnancy-related complications. See how Pathfinder’s...

m4Change + mCCT

Each year, 58,000 Nigerian women die as a result of pregnancy and childbirth complications—the third highest maternal mortality rate in the world. See how an innovative mobile application in the...

Building Blocks for FP2020

Both the Nigerian and Pakistani governments have set ambitious national targets for contraception use: Nigeria aims to increase the proportion of women using contraception from 11% in 2011 to 36% by...

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