Oyo State Activates MAMII to Curb Maternal and Child Mortality

The Oyo State Government, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and development partners, has launched the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), a groundbreaking programme designed to protect mothers and newborns across the state.

The initiative, which aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, targets 172 local government areas nationwide that contribute significantly to Nigeria’s maternal mortality burden.

The activation ceremony, held at the Molete Primary Health Centre in Ibadan South West Local Government on Friday, marked the conclusion of a five-day workshop that began on Monday at Kakanfo Inn, Ibadan.

Representing Governor Seyi Makinde, the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs.) Ajibola Lawal, described the initiative as a renewed call to action to safeguard mothers, protect newborns, and strengthen the foundation of the state’s healthcare system.

“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 neighbours,” Lawal said.

“In Oyo State, our commitment remains firm: to strengthen our health facilities, empower healthcare providers, and ensure that every pregnant woman and newborn receives the care they deserve.”

She commended Governor Makinde’s sustained investment in the health sector, including the recruitment of doctors, nurses, and midwives, as well as scholarship awards for community nurses and midwives who are guaranteed employment upon completion of their training.

Chief Lawal further urged stakeholders to move beyond paperwork and ensure tangible outcomes, emphasizing, “We are not here to create documents that gather dust; we are here to build systems that deliver results.”

The 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, locally relevant solutions.

Dr. Ajetunmobi announced the inauguration of the MAMII Task Force, comprising representatives from the Oyo State Health Insurance Agency (OYSHIA), the Primary Healthcare Board, the Hospital Management Board, and the State Emergency Medical Services (SEMSA). She said the state aims to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths by 50 percent within the next two years.

“We have visited communities with high maternal and neonatal mortality rates to identify the root causes and develop practical solutions. Our goal is to make maternal and neonatal deaths a thing of the past in Oyo State,” she stated.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Akintunde Ayinde, described MAMII as a moral and social commitment to bridge long-standing gaps that have 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,” he emphasized.

Representing the Federal Ministry of Health, Prof. Abiola Okunlola, a Consultant Gynaecologist, hailed the activation as a major step 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,” he said.

The State SWAp Desk Officer, Dr. Oluwatunmise Adeagbo, explained that the initiative integrates all key health agencies to ensure efficient delivery of care to women and children, while Dr. Omoruyi Iyahen, Deputy Director at the SWAp Coordinating Office, assured that both 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 traditional support for its implementation. He also urged traditional rulers and community leaders to sensitise residents so that more women can benefit from the programme.

Residents at the event described MAMII as a “timely and life-saving intervention,” particularly for women in rural communities.

Dignitaries in attendance included representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, development partners, permanent secretaries, directors, and community leaders.