The Federal Government has intensified efforts to scale up access to Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) for pregnant women across Nigeria, with a renewed focus on local production and sustainable financing to reduce dependence on external support.
The initiative was highlighted in Abuja during a validation meeting on findings from the 2025 Market Landscaping and Segmentation Analysis of maternal nutrition programmes.
Speaking at the meeting, the Director and Head of the Nutrition Department at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Olufunmilola Adegbite, said strengthening domestic manufacturing capacity would be central to achieving national maternal and child health goals.
She noted that local production of MMS would improve availability, reduce reliance on imports, and help shield supply chains from global disruptions.
According to her, ensuring consistent access to supplements for pregnant women will require long-term investments in local production systems.
Study Across Six States
The 2025 analysis covered Lagos, Kano, Bauchi, Imo, Niger, and Bayelsa States, selected to reflect Nigeria’s geographical and market diversity.
Commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with Sight and Life and the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC), the study examined financing structures and implementation systems required for nationwide scale-up of MMS.
It also assessed key areas such as supply chain performance, regulatory frameworks, stakeholder coordination, and health financing mechanisms.
Importance of MMS in Maternal Health
Multiple Micronutrient Supplements are daily antenatal tablets containing iron, folic acid, and other essential vitamins and minerals required for healthy pregnancy outcomes.
Unlike standard iron and folic acid supplements, MMS provides a broader range of nutrients that support maternal health and fetal development.
Health experts say MMS use is associated with reduced risks of low birth weight, preterm delivery, and other pregnancy-related complications.
Adegbite said Nigeria has made progress in aligning with global standards for maternal nutrition, noting that MMS was approved for use in 2021 and incorporated into national health guidelines and essential medicines lists.
She described these steps as evidence of the country’s commitment to improving maternal and newborn health outcomes.
Financing and Implementation Gaps
Despite policy progress, stakeholders warned that challenges remain in financing, supply chain efficiency, regulation, and coordination among implementing partners.
Adegbite identified sustainable financing as a key requirement for expanding access, pointing to mechanisms such as the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF), and federal and state budget allocations as critical funding sources.
She added that findings from the market analysis would help guide policy decisions, investment priorities, and implementation strategies for nationwide rollout.
Concerns Over Donor Dependence
The Country Manager of Sight and Life, Zainab Abubakar, said the study was designed to identify sustainable financing pathways within Nigeria’s health system.
She noted that limited insurance coverage, inadequate funding, and reliance on out-of-pocket payments continue to restrict access to maternal nutrition services.
According to her, the study explored potential funding mechanisms and implementation bottlenecks while providing recommendations for sustainable scale-up.
Call for Stronger Political Commitment
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr. Salma Anas, called for stronger political will and increased budgetary commitment to maternal nutrition programmes.
She said anaemia in pregnancy remains a major public health concern and urged policymakers to prioritize investments in women and children’s health.
Anas emphasized that maternal health interventions should be fully integrated into national budgeting processes to ensure effective implementation.
Background and Outlook
Nigeria adopted MMS following global recommendations supporting its use as a more comprehensive alternative to traditional iron-folic acid supplementation.
According to UNICEF, MMS contains 15 essential vitamins and minerals and is considered the global standard for maternal micronutrient support.
Recent reports indicate that Nigeria has begun phased distribution of MMS to pregnant women in selected states, but supply remains limited compared to national demand.
With an estimated 12 million pregnancies annually, stakeholders say current supply levels are insufficient, underscoring the need for expanded local production and stronger domestic investment.
Experts argue that reducing dependence on donor-funded supply chains and strengthening local manufacturing capacity will be key to ensuring long-term access to maternal nutrition interventions nationwide.
