The Oyo State Government, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and development partners, has activated the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative, MAMII, a landmark health project aimed at safeguarding mothers and newborns across the state.
The initiative, launched under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, targets 172 local government areas across Nigeria that account for more than half of the nation’s maternal mortality burden.
The activation ceremony took place at the Molete Primary Health Care Center, Ibadan South West Local Government Area, on Friday marking the end of a five-day Workshop which started Monday at Kakanfo Inn, Ibadan.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs.) Ajibola Lawal, who represented Governor Seyi Makinde, described the initiative as a renewed call to action to protect mothers, safeguard newborns, and strengthen the foundation of the healthcare system in Oyo state.
“Every year, too many Nigerian women lose their lives while giving life. Too many families mourn newborns who never get the chance to thrive. These are not just statistics, they are our sisters, our daughters, our neighbors,” she said.
“In Oyo State, our commitment is firm: to strengthen our health facilities, empower our healthcare providers, and ensure that every pregnant woman and newborn receives the care they deserve.”
Chief Lawal commended Governor Makinde’s continuous investment in the health sector, including the recruitment of doctors, nurses, and midwives, as well as the award of scholarships for community nurses and midwives who are guaranteed employment upon completion of training.
She urged stakeholders to ensure the initiative moves beyond policy documents, stating, “We are not here to create documents that gather dust; we are here to build systems that deliver results.”
In her address, the Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, explained that the MAMII co-creation workshop held from October 13 to 17, 2025 brought together healthcare professionals, community leaders, and development partners to design practical solutions tailored to local realities.
Dr. Ajetunmobi announced the inauguration of the MAMII Task Force, comprising representatives from the Oyo State Health Insurance Agency (OYSHIA), Primary Healthcare Board, Hospital Management Board, and State Emergency Medical Services (SEMSA).
She said the state aims to achieve a 50 percent reduction in maternal and neonatal deaths within the next two years.
“We have visited communities with high maternal and neonatal mortality rates to identify causes and find practical solutions. Our goal is to ensure that maternal and neonatal deaths become a thing of the past in Oyo State,” she stated.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Health, Dr. Akintunde Ayinde, said the MAMII project represents a moral and social commitment to close the gaps that have long denied women and girls the right to safe motherhood.
“This initiative is not just a programme, it is a movement to restore dignity to motherhood and protect the most vulnerable,” Dr. Ayinde emphasized.
Speaking on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Health, Prof. Abiola Okunlola, a Consultant Gynaecologist, hailed the activation of the MAMII project as a major stride toward ending preventable maternal and child deaths.
“A woman who brings forth life does not deserve to die. Bringing life into the world should not lead to death. That is the heart of MAMII, and we are confident that what we have launched here today will truly make a difference,” he said.
The State SWAp Desk Officer, Dr. Oluwatunmise Adeagbo, noted that the strategy behind MAMII cuts across all key health agencies to ensure efficient delivery of care to pregnant women and children.
Similarly, Dr. Omoruyi Iyahen, Deputy Director at the SWAp Coordinating Office, assured that the state and national teams would work closely to monitor progress and close implementation gaps.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, represented by Chief Abiola Arulogun, commended both the federal and state governments for the initiative and pledged full support for its implementation in affected communities.
Olubadan urge traditional rulers and community leaders to sensitise people about MAMII so that more women can benefit from the programme.
Residents who attended the event described MAMII as a “timely and life-saving intervention”, especially for women in rural communities.
Dignitaries present included representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, development partners, permanent secretaries, directors, and community leaders.
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