Sir Emeka Offor Launches $5M Initiative to Protect Nigerian Mothers and Children
LAGOS, Nigeria — A new US$5 million initiative by the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation, in partnership with The Rotary Foundation, is putting child protection at the center of maternal and child health programs in Nigeria. The project is designed to ensure that Nigerian children are safeguarded from preventable harm from birth, while mothers receive proper care during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period.
Nigeria has some of the highest maternal and neonatal mortality rates globally, leaving many newborns at risk during the most critical early days of life. The initiative focuses on child protection through improved maternal health, enhanced neonatal care, and community engagement. Health workers are trained, clinics are upgraded, and families are educated on safe practices, early stimulation, and nutrition to support child wellbeing from early childhood.
Early results show strong impact. In four target regions, supported clinics have reported a 20 percent reduction in maternal deaths and a 28 percent decline in neonatal deaths. The additional funding will expand the program’s reach, ensuring more children benefit from strengthened child protection measures.
Experts stress that safeguarding children starts with maternal care. Proper prenatal and postnatal support reduces preventable deaths, improves nutrition, and lays the foundation for healthy development. Community education programs further reinforce child protection, equipping families to provide safe and nurturing environments for their children.
Sir Emeka Offor, a long-standing Rotary member and philanthropist, said the initiative represents a strategic investment in the country’s future. “Protecting children begins with protecting mothers,” he said, emphasizing that child protection must guide efforts to reduce mortality and improve long-term societal outcomes.
Rotary’s ‘Together for Healthy Families in Nigeria’ program demonstrates how targeted investment in child protection and maternal and child health can reduce preventable deaths, strengthen early childhood development, and create lasting positive impact across Nigeria.
