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How male motivators are strengthening maternal health in Northern Nigeria
Whether in group discussions or one-on-one, Mohammed Sankira spreads messages of encouragement and practical advice to fathers in his community. His messages are part of a behaviour change intervention strategy to strengthen maternal care across northern states in the country.
Posted on May 7, 2025
On a sunny day in Nigeria’s Jigawa State, Mohammed Sankira sits cross-legged on a red patterned mat, surrounded by 13 other men. They gather in the shade of a tree, small children playing nearby, as Mohammed flips through a booklet with illustrations and key messages about maternal health.
Among the men is Musa Ado, a young butcher whose wife, Walida, is six months pregnant. Musa heard about these meetings on the radio and through the local health facility, which encouraged him to join.
“I want to see my wife give birth safely and the child to be healthy,” he says.
Mohammed’s work goes beyond group discussions. He also visits homes, meeting men to share practical advice. When he knocked on Musa’s door, he explained how various acts — helping with chores, ensuring Walida eats nutritious foods, supporting her to attend antenatal care check-ups, encouraging her to rest — make a difference during pregnancy. Musa took the message to heart. Now, he’s passing it on.
“If there is someone who has not heard this information, I will tell him about it,” he says. “This is my advice: if your wife is pregnant, support her at home.”
Why male engagement in maternal health matters
For many expectant mothers in Nigeria, pregnancy brings both anticipation and uncertainty. The country has one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in the world — 993 maternal deaths per 100,000 births were reported in 2023. According to Nigeria’s 2018 Demographic and Health Survey, only 18% of women started antenatal care (ANC) in the first trimester and 57% attended at least four ANC visits.
Monthly check-ups with comprehensive ANC, including nutrition counselling and maternal supplementation, improve outcomes for both mothers and babies. But without their husbands’ understanding and support, many women struggle to access this care.
“In many parts of Northern Nigeria, women’s mobility is limited, and they depend on their partners to make decisions for them,” says Ayodele Gbemileke, Nutrition International’s Senior Program Officer for maternal, newborn health and nutrition programs in Nigeria. “The goal is to shift these gender norms to promote male engagement in maternal and newborn health issues.”
Nutrition International supported the Government of Nigeria — alongside state healthcare agencies and the National Emergency Maternal and Child Health Intervention Centre (NEMCHIC) — to develop a gender-responsive strategy to involve fathers in maternal health. In collaboration with local partners, this initiative is shifting attitudes in six northern states, including Jigawa. Through town hall meetings, religious gatherings, radio jingles and home visits, men are redefining their role during pregnancy.
“Nutrition International has been a formidable partner for the last number of years,” says Dr. Kabir Ibrahim, Permanent Secretary of the Jigawa State Ministry of Health. “We’ve been able to reach a large proportion of people at the community level to make sure that quality information is provided to them.”
Community-driven change addresses barriers together
At the heart of this movement are men like Mohammed. Known as male motivators, they are trusted educators and advocates, bridging the gap between knowledge and action.
Nominated by community leaders, male motivators receive training from Nutrition International’s partners before stepping into their role. Forward in Action for Education, Poverty and Malnutrition (FACE-PAM) equips them with knowledge about antenatal care and maternal nutrition. The Society for Women Development & Empowerment in Nigeria (SWODEN) teaches them how to create supportive environments for maternal health. This includes engaging religious and community institutions alongside state and local government area stakeholders.
Equipped with tools and learning aids, 600 male motivators across the six participating states spread messages in homes, town hall meetings and mosques. They attend majalisa — informal gatherings at tea stalls and barbecue spots where men discuss the issues of the day. In these relaxed settings, conversations about antenatal care, maternal nutrition and sharing household responsibilities unfold naturally.
“This is my advice: if your wife is pregnant, support her at home.
— Musa, Group participant
While challenges persist, such as financial restraints that can impact the ability to access healthcare or take time off work, the set-up with male motivators known to the community created an environment that fostered trust and engagement to workshop issues.
“When men support their wives during and after pregnancy, it relieves women of the stress that comes with taking care of the household and children,” says Gara Alheri Shiyya, a project officer at FACE-PAM. “We have gotten to a level where men help take care of the children, accompany women to the health facility and remind them to take their iron and folic acid supplements.”
Religious and community leaders also play a key role. FACE-PAM and SWODEN engage influential members of society who integrate discussions about pregnancy and male responsibility into weddings, naming ceremonies and Friday prayers at the mosque.
For couples like Musa and Walida, these changes mean a safer pregnancy, healthier children and a new role for men in ensuring their family’s wellbeing.
Redefining a husband’s role in pregnancy
Before Walida became pregnant, she would wake early to sweep and heat water for Musa’s bath before he left for work. Now Musa is happy to return the favour.
“Right from the time we went to our first appointment, he started helping me,” says Walida. “He will do the laundry, sweep, cook and wash so I can rest.”
Once a month, Musa and Walida ride their motorbike to the health centre for an antenatal check-up with midwife Aisha Abubakar Jibril.
During these visits, Aisha checks Walida’s weight and blood pressure, provides prenatal supplements and advises the couple on nutritious foods.
“It is important that the husband is there for the nutrition counselling because he is the one going to the market,” says Aisha.
She says she’s noticed a rise in antenatal care attendance and a noticeable change in men’s involvement. More men are providing transportation to the health centre, buying nutritious food and helping with household chores.
Mohammed also says he’s noted a change in his community. “I am delighted this has been well accepted,” he says. “When I go to the health centre, I see a lot of women coming in, unlike before. Now this place is always full as it should be.”
Future plans aim to strengthen community engagement through targeted sensitization and mobilization efforts, leveraging existing community structures such as the male motivators and religious or community leaders. This approach is intended to deepen community ownership and accountability to contribute to demand generation for maternal health services.
While more still needs to combat maternal mortality in the country, the collective efforts to intentionally spotlight the positive role men can play to improve maternal health is making a difference.
Learn more about our work in Nigeria.
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