Nigeria

Summary: Phase 3. Scale-up delivery at the national or sub-national level  

Nigeria has made significant strides in incorporating MMS into national policy, with its inclusion in key documents such as the National Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition, the EML and into existing systems such as the Health Management Information System (HMIS) and in Nigeria’s Health Logistics Management Information System (NHLMIS).

Nigeria is benefiting from the support of several organizations working to advance the scale-up of multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) for pregnant women.

Nutrition International has been providing technical support to maternal and newborn health and nutrition since 2013. It conducted a cost-benefit analysis for MMS in 2019 and is currently leading implementation research (2022–2025), funded by the Gates Foundation, to improve adherence. It also supports translating findings and materials to facilitate national scale-up.

UNICEF is helping the government introduce and expand MMS through support in policy, financing, product supply, and service delivery. As lead of the Gates Foundation-funded consortium (2023–2026), UNICEF coordinates efforts in five states with partners including Nutrition International, Alive & Thrive, Research for Development, and Civil Society SUN Nigeria.

Vitamin Angels contributes through technical assistance and MMS donations to national and sub-national stakeholders. It supports advocacy, capacity building for health workers, and monitoring and evaluation, and actively participates in national coordination platforms like the MMS Task Force and Nutrition Technical Working Group.

Evidence Action, in partnership with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, is conducting an MMS pilot in six local government authorities.

The establishment of Nigeria’s first MMS manufacturing hub (2022–2028) is being supported by Sight and Life, in collaboration with CIFF, ECF, and DSM-F. As part of this initiative, Sight and Life is working to review supplement-related regulations and assess the quality of existing MMS brands in the market. The organization is also strengthening the capacity of the local FDA, conducting a study to evaluate the willingness to pay among state and local health systems as well as pregnant women, and leading ongoing sensitization efforts. These efforts aim to educate doctors and health workers on government-approved MMS guidelines to ensure an effective rollout and scale-up of MMS across the country.

Forecasting for MMS has been done at the state and national levels, and local manufacturers are being engaged to ensure product quality and capacity. Delivery channels are being strengthened through health worker training and integration into national logistics and data systems. However, challenges include insufficient MMS supplies and limited health worker capacity, with scale-up efforts currently donor-driven. Lessons learned highlight the importance of political buy-in, strong coordination, innovative financing mechanisms, and the integration of MMS into existing maternal and child health services. Next steps include scaling up MMS across all health facilities, strengthening local manufacturing, and inaugurating the MMS Task Force. The National Social Behavior Change Strategy will be launched to boost community support while ensuring government financing and procurement for MMS from 2025. Additionally, country-specific standards and regulatory frameworks will be developed. Numerous awareness raising activities including engagement of community and social influencers on MMS and maternal nutrition, and demand creation through advocacy, communication and social mobilization (ACSM) undertaken with 2,323,508 women receiving MMS in 2024 in Nigeria.

Sources: HMHB Survey 2025, HMHB Survey (2021-23), NutriDash and 2nd Africa Regional Meeting Report

Dashboard

Summary: Phase 2. Pilot/Implementation Research & Program Design

Nigeria provides BEP supplementation to pregnant and lactating women in emergency/humanitarian settings with support from donors such as WFP, USAID, DFID (Department for International Development), direct aid from foreign national governments, etc. The BEP products vary by donor and may include LNS-PLW, CSB+, and other fortified supplements. Since these products are imported, their manufacturers differ, but they are typically certified by UNICEF or WFP. Storage and distribution are managed either independently by donors or in collaboration with the local government. Women qualify for the intervention if their MUAC < 21 cm and remain eligible until 6 months postpartum. The product is distributed through antenatal care facilities by health professionals or at community centers by community volunteers.

Sources: BEP Case Studies , Akpoghelie et al. 2024

Dashboard