Nigeria is stepping up its efforts to make Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) more available for pregnant women. Health officials are pushing for more local production and better funding to cut down on reliance on donor support.
This initiative was discussed on Thursday in Abuja during a meeting to review findings from the 2025 Market Landscaping and Segmentation Analysis.
At the meeting, Olufunmilola Adegbite, Director and Head of the Nutrition Department at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, said that boosting local manufacturing would be key to reaching the country’s maternal health goals.
“Local production will be critical in achieving the country’s ambition for reaching pregnant women with MMS and ensuring long-term sustainability,” she stated.
Ms Adegbite explained that local manufacturing would increase the availability of supplements, reduce the need for imports, and protect supply chains from global disruptions.
The 2025 market landscape analysis looked at Lagos, Kano, Bauchi, Imo, Niger, and Bayelsa. These states were chosen to reflect Nigeria’s different geographical areas and market segments.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, together with Sight and Life and the development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC), commissioned the study. It aimed to examine financing systems and broader implementation needs for a national MMS scale-up.
Researchers looked at current health financing methods and key factors needed for successful implementation. This includes supply chains, regulatory frameworks, and engaging stakeholders.
MMS are daily antenatal supplements that include iron, folic acid, and other vital vitamins and minerals for better maternal nutrition and healthier births.
Unlike regular iron-folic acid supplements, MMS offers a wider range of micronutrients. Studies show this can help lower the risks of low birth weight, preterm delivery, and other pregnancy issues.
Ms Adegbite noted that Nigeria has made good progress in meeting global standards for maternal nutrition. She said MMS was approved for use in 2021 and added to the National Essential Medicines List. It has also been included in national guidelines for managing micronutrient deficiencies and antenatal care.
“These achievements demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to improving maternal and newborn nutritional outcomes,” she added.
Despite these positive steps, Ms Adegbite mentioned that much work is still needed to ensure effective implementation and wider access.
She pointed out that sustainable financing is essential for expansion. Mechanisms like the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF), and dedicated budget allocations at federal and state levels can support wider coverage.
She said the findings from the market analysis would help guide policy decisions, investment priorities, and implementation strategies.
While there has been progress in institutionalising MMS, she said challenges still exist in supply systems, regulation, financing, and coordination among stakeholders.
Zainab Abubakar, the Country Manager of Sight and Life, spoke about the study’s goal to find sustainable ways to finance MMS within Nigeria’s health system.
Ms Abubakar said limited funding, narrow insurance coverage, and heavy reliance on out-of-pocket spending continue to limit access to maternal nutrition services.
“The research assessed the health financing landscape in Nigeria to identify viable pathways for sustainable domestic financing,” she said.
“It explored opportunities for resource mobilisation, evaluated potential funding mechanisms, highlighted implementation challenges, and developed recommendations suited to the local context.”
Salma Anas, Special Adviser to the President on Health and a board member of dRPC, called for stronger political support for maternal nutrition programs.
Ms Anas said that anaemia during pregnancy remains a big public health issue. She urged leaders to focus on investments that benefit women and children.
According to her, programs aimed at women and children often struggle to get enough funding because they are seen as issues only affecting women.
“Every woman’s issue is a man’s business,” she said.
“Let us do away with the woman’s issue. Let’s budget it. Let’s release it and let it be used for the intended purpose.”
Nigeria adopted MMS based on global suggestions and growing proof that it offers more nutritional benefits than traditional iron-folic acid supplements.
UNICEF states that MMS contains 15 essential vitamins and minerals and is now the global standard for maternal micronutrient supplementation.
PREMIUM TIMES reported that in 2024, the federal government distributed about 1.3 million bottles of MMS to pregnant women in 12 states during the initial phase of implementation.
UNICEF later announced that Nigeria would get an additional 3 million bottles in 2025 through the Child Nutrition Fund, following another delivery of 3 million bottles in 2024.
Still, with around 12 million pregnancies each year, stakeholders believe existing supplies are not enough. This highlights the need for broader coverage and stronger local investment.
They argue that moving from donor-dependent supply chains to local production and market-based financing is crucial for the long-term success of MMS expansion.
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