Ten groundbreaking Nigerian-led innovations have secured funding from Grand Challenges Nigeria (GCNg) to address critical gaps in maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH). Each project will receive up to ?60 million (approximately US$40,000) alongside technical support and access to a national learning network for a 12 to 15-month implementation phase.
The funding follows GCNg’s first-ever open call for proposals in November 2024, which sought bold, scalable, and context-driven solutions to persistent MNCH challenges. The selected projects were rigorously evaluated by panels of national and international experts for scientific merit, feasibility, and potential for impact.
“These ten projects represent the vanguard of Nigerian-led science,” said Professor Folake Samuel, Program Director at GCNg. “Each one is locally inspired, scientifically grounded, and designed to make a real difference in communities where the need is greatest.”
The winning projects span a diverse range of approaches and technologies, including:
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Prof. Stephen Oguche (Jos University Teaching Hospital): Using point-of-care biomarkers and next-gen sequencing to improve neonatal sepsis management.
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Prof. Ezekiel Akinkunmi (Obafemi Awolowo University): Developing O-SEE-MUM oil gels to treat newborn umbilical cord infections.
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Dr. Chidinma Akanazu (Federal University of Technology Owerri): Launching Mobicare 360, a hybrid digital-community model to improve maternal health.
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Prof. Bosede Afolabi (Lagos State): Creating MamaLink, a mobile referral tool for pregnant women in urban slums.
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Dr. Adebolajo Adeyemo (University of Ibadan): Training frontline health workers to detect birth defects with simplified diagnostics.
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Dr. Victor Ayeni (Babcock University): Conducting a clinical trial on N-Acetylcysteine for treating newborn perinatal asphyxia.
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Uchechukwu Chukwuocha (FUTO): Introducing MaternAid-360, a self-assessment platform for pregnancy risk management.
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Dr. Babasola Okusanya (University of Lagos): Developing a predictive model for severe preeclampsia in antenatal settings.
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Krystal Chinenye Anyanwu (Centre for Family Health Initiative): Leading the BIRTH project for integrated community-based maternal healthcare.
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Dr. Ugochukwu Onyeonoro (Federal Medical Centre): Innovating an AI-powered cervical cancer screening tool usable by non-specialist workers.
Coordinated by the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN) and technically supported by Grand Challenges Africa under the Science for Africa Foundation, GCNg aligns with Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda and connects the country’s most promising scientists to a global innovation ecosystem.
“This initiative shows what’s possible when we believe in and invest in Nigerian science,” said Mrs. Uju Rochas-Anwukah, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health. “These innovations are proof that lasting solutions can rise from within.”
With the launch of this inaugural cohort, GCNg positions Nigeria as a leading voice in homegrown scientific solutions for maternal and child health across Africa.
Article by Jed Mwangi
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