UN, Sokoto partner to train 500 community midwives

In a significant stride towards bolstering maternal and child healthcare in Nigeria's northern region, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has joined forces with the Sokoto State Government. This collaboration heralds the launch of an ambitious scholarship program designed to train 500 young women as community midwives, directly addressing the critical shortage of skilled birth attendants in rural areas.

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We are fully committed to ensuring that our people, especially those in rural communities, have access to quality and affordable healthcare services.

The initiative, aptly named the Community Midwifery Scholarship and Bonding Scheme, represents a vital investment in the health and well-being of Sokoto's most vulnerable populations. By providing full scholarships, the program ensures that financial barriers do not prevent aspiring midwives from acquiring essential skills. The phased enrollment, with 250 beneficiaries starting in 2026 and another 250 in 2027, demonstrates a structured approach to capacity building. Crucially, these newly trained midwives are earmarked for deployment in underserved communities, ensuring that the benefits of skilled healthcare reach those who need it most.

Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto hailed the partnership as "timely and critical," underscoring his administration's commitment to strengthening the health workforce. This initiative aligns with the state's existing efforts, including the recruitment of over 1,500 nurses and midwives for rural posting. The State Commissioner for Health, Faruk Umar, further emphasized that the scheme will significantly bridge the gap in skilled birth attendants, enhancing grassroots service delivery. The involvement of UNFPA, including a substantial investment in family planning commodities, further amplifies the impact, promising to benefit tens of thousands of women of reproductive age.

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The intervention is designed to expand access to skilled birth attendants and strengthen maternal and child healthcare delivery at the grassroots.

This collaboration exemplifies a proactive approach to achieving universal health coverage, particularly for women and children in hard-to-reach areas. It moves beyond mere policy pronouncements to tangible action, recognizing that investing in local healthcare professionals is paramount. The partnership between the UN and the Sokoto State Government serves as a powerful model for how targeted interventions, coupled with strong political will, can lead to meaningful improvements in health outcomes, demonstrating a shared commitment to a healthier future for the region.

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the scholarship scheme would significantly bridge the gap in skilled birth attendants and enhance service delivery at the grassroots.