The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to sustain the gains of The Challenge Initiative (TCI) model, focusing on urban health and family planning, to ensure lasting health impact.

Director and Head of the Department of Family Health at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Binyerem Ukaire, made this known on Tuesday in Abuja at the TCI Nigeria Next-Gen National Dissemination Meeting.

Ms Ukaire said the TCI model was a sustainable, state-led approach that promotes local ownership, accountability, and continuity in delivering family planning and reproductive health services.

She said, “I stand here today as a testament to the great work done by Dr Taiwo Johnson and the TCI Nigeria team. Indeed, the TCI model is very sustainable, a free model that promotes state-based investment and ensures that the right services and information reach those who need them most.’’

She commended TCI for aligning its work with the National Family Planning Policy and supporting states to strengthen local systems.

She noted that “even with TCI ceasing to exist as a programme, the work continues,” adding that the model’s emphasis on domestic resource mobilisation and government leadership ensures its continuity.

According to her, the ministry remains deeply committed to reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH) services and recognises family planning as central to achieving Nigeria’s human capital and sustainable development goals.

“Without family planning, we will not achieve human capital development or sustainable growth. Family planning is critical and must be implemented the right way,” she said.

Also speaking, Chairperson, Senate Committee on Health, Ipalibo Banigo, pledged continued legislative support to strengthen funding and oversight for family planning and reproductive health programmes nationwide.

Ms Banigo commended TCI and its partners for building local leadership, expanding access, and transforming community attitudes toward family planning across states.

She disclosed that the National Assembly had ensured the inclusion of a two billion counterpart fund for family planning commodities in the 2024 national budget.

She urged state governments to emulate the example by allocating adequate funds to family planning services and commodities to ensure no woman or girl is left behind.

Earlier, Project Director, TCI Nigeria, Taiwo Johnson, said the initiative had strengthened state-level ownership of family planning and reproductive health interventions, with many states now providing domestic funding and scaling evidence-based practices.

Mr Johnson highlighted that sustainability does not mean TCI’s exit but a shift in role, from direct implementation to technical coaching and partnership.

In his remarks, The Global Director of TCI, Kojo Lokko, commended Nigeria for demonstrating exemplary leadership and ownership in sustaining family planning and reproductive health programmes beyond donor support.

Mr Lokko said the success story of TCI Nigeria had become a global model for sustainable health programming, driven by strong government commitment, data-driven decision-making, and domestic resource mobilisation.

“TCI was never meant to be a forever project. It was designed to empower governments to take the lead, to build systems that outlive donor cycles, and to make family planning an integral part of health governance,” he said.

He added that Nigeria’s transition from donor dependency to state-led investment reflects the essence of sustainability that TCI promotes globally.

He said, “The leadership we have seen in Nigerian states, from commissioners, programme managers, and community champions, shows that sustainability is not about exit but about evolution. Governments are no longer waiting for partners; they are charting their own path.’’

He appreciated the partnership of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Bayer Foundation, and other development partners for their long-standing commitment to Nigeria’s reproductive health goals.

He urged continued collaboration among federal and state governments, donors, and civil society to consolidate the gains made through TCI and expand access to family planning and other primary healthcare services.

The meeting marked the conclusion of the Next-Gen phase of the TCI programme, which has supported Nigerian states to expand access to quality family planning and reproductive health services through evidence-based, government-led approaches. 

 (NAN)