As part of efforts to address maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) challenges in Nigeria, 10 Nigerian researchers have received grants to undertake innovative research projects aimed at developing local solutions.
The grants were announced by Grand Challenges Nigeria (GCNg), a national initiative under the Global Grand Challenges family, which seeks to align cutting-edge science with public health priorities in the Nigerian context.
GCNg focuses on leveraging innovation to improve health outcomes, promote gender equality, and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion. The initiative was formally launched by Vice President Kashim Shettima in November 2024, in Abuja. Following a call for research proposals on maternal and child health in the same month, the programme received numerous entries. These were subjected to a rigorous, expert-led review process, culminating in the selection of 10 successful proposals.
Among the grantees is Professor Ezekiel Akinkunmi, a professor at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and immediate past national chairman of the Nigeria Association of Pharmacists in Academia (NAPA). Other recipients include Professor Stephen Oguche (Jos University Teaching Hospital); Dr Chidinma Onyebuchi Akanazu (Federal University of Technology, Owerri); Professor Bosede Afolabi (Maternal and Reproductive Health Research Collective, Lagos); Dr Adebolajo Adeyemo (Institute of Child Health, University of Ibadan); Dr Victor Ayodeji Ayeni (Babcock University, Ogun); Professor Uchechukwu Chukwuocha (FUTO, Imo State); Dr Babasola Okusanya (University of Lagos); Krystal Chinenye Anyanwu (Centre for Family Health Initiative, FCT); and Dr Ugochukwu Onyeonoro (Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia).
GCNg stated that the selected projects would receive seed funding and technical support to pilot scalable solutions focused on neonatal sepsis, maternal emergencies, digital health, and community-based interventions. “These grants are not merely about funding,” GCNg explained, “but about creating a national innovation platform that integrates evidence-based solutions into Nigeria’s health system for lasting impact.”
In Plateau State, Professor Stephen Oguche is leading a study on “Point-of-Care Biomarkers and Next-Generation Sequencing to Guide Neonatal Sepsis Management in Low-Resource Settings.” Given that neonatal sepsis remains a leading cause of infant mortality in Nigeria, this study will assess the accuracy and speed of point-of-care biomarkers—C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin—alongside genomic sequencing, in comparison with standard diagnostics.
In Osun State, Professor Akinkunmi is developing “O-SEE-MUM Oil Gels,” a formulation based on essential oils from Ocimum gratissimum (scent leaf) as an alternative to chlorhexidine gel for umbilical cord care. His project aims to produce affordable, non-toxic, locally made, and culturally acceptable solutions to prevent omphalitis and reduce neonatal mortality. Commenting on the achievement, Professor Akanni Ibukun Akinyemi, deputy vice-chancellor (Research, Innovation and Development) at OAU, praised Akinkunmi’s project as a significant step in advancing indigenous, impactful healthcare research.
In Imo State, Dr Chidinma Akanazu is pioneering the “MobiCare 360” initiative, a hybrid digital-community model that leverages mobile technology and trained community health workers (CHWs) to deliver health education, appointment reminders, and personalised support to expectant and new mothers. The app will help register beneficiaries, schedule visits, and track progress throughout pregnancy and early childhood.
Also in Lagos, Professor Bosede Afolabi is spearheading the “MamaLink Project,” which will connect pregnant women in underserved slum communities to emergency obstetric and newborn care via a dedicated digital platform. The system will coordinate emergency transport and referrals using a combination of digital alerts, health facility integration, and toll-free access for those without smartphones.
At the University of Ibadan, Dr Adebolajo Adeyemo is leading a project titled “Identification of Birth Defects in Newborn Children – Task Shifting to Primary Healthcare Workers.” His initiative will equip frontline health workers with low-cost tools for early detection and link affected infants to government-run health insurance for comprehensive care.
Dr Victor Ayeni at Babcock University is conducting a multi-centre, double-blind randomised trial on the “Effect of N-Acetylcysteine on Outcomes of Perinatal Asphyxia.” The research will evaluate its influence on oxidative biomarkers and neurodevelopmental outcomes, aiming to reduce disabilities associated with birth asphyxia.
Professor Uchechukwu Chukwuocha, also based in Imo, is developing “MaternAid-360,” an interactive mobile platform for self-risk assessments, maternal health education, and remote consultations for pregnant and nursing mothers.
At the University of Lagos, Dr Babasola Okusanya is working on a prospective cohort study titled “PreSev,” which aims to develop a machine learning-based antenatal risk prediction model for severe preeclampsia in pregnant women.
In Abuja, Krystal Chinenye Anyanwu is leading the “BIRTH” initiative, a comprehensive maternal health programme that combines AI-driven ultrasound screening, training of traditional birth attendants, solar-powered birth kits, and support for economic and nutritional empowerment in Zamfara and Adamawa States.
Dr Ugochukwu Onyeonoro at FMC Umuahia is developing “CerVisibility,” a mobile tool that allows non-expert health workers to conduct AI-enabled cervical cancer screenings. With Nigeria facing a 91 per cent gap in screening coverage, this innovation could prove vital in preventing cervical cancer deaths among women, particularly mothers.
Collectively, these initiatives reflect a new wave of health research rooted in local contexts and driven by innovation. Through these grants, Grand Challenges Nigeria is not only enabling scientific advancement but also paving the way for sustainable improvements in maternal and child health across the country.
