Report June 2026 – Nigeria

1.1 Local Activities

The Secretariat has continued to strengthen internal coordination, support state branches, and foster partnerships at both national and international levels. Efforts have also been directed toward enhancing administrative efficiency, mobilizing resources, and advancing advocacy on critical health and policy issues. During the reporting period, the Secretariat undertook a series of activities designed to reinforce internal coordination and external engagement. Routine operations included drafting and processing correspondence, assisting state branches with matters such as changes of bank signatories and Corporate Affairs Commission registration requests, and compiling reports from both state branches and the National Working Committees. Preparations are underway to convene a meeting for the development of a five-year strategic plan for the association.

Monthly National Executive Committee/Officers meetings were held on 10th April, 29th May, and 6th July, with emergency meetings convened on 23rd April and 15th June to deliberate on the purchase of a vehicle and the opening of new bank accounts. NEC/O also met with all National Working Committee members on 17th May to review committee activities, while additional meetings were held with the Fundraising Committee to discuss resource mobilization strategies and with the Special Projects Committee to plan for the Golden Jubilee celebrations.

MWAN participated in some external meetings, including the Nigerian Medical Association National Executive Council meeting and elections in Kano where the National President and Secretary, represented the association The National Coordinator also represented the association at the National Bureau of Statistics meeting on unpaid labour among women in Abuja.

In terms of asset acquisition, a Toyota Corolla was purchased and placed under the custody of the National President.

Partnerships and collaborations were further strengthened during this period. A webinar series through CLIRNET and ASPEN Pharmaceutical have begun to ensure Continuous Medical Education. The National President was also a guest speaker at a webinar organized by the Association of Medical and Health Law Professionals in Africa on 14th May 2026.

Other partnerships/collaborations include: Fifty (50) MWAN members participated in a Guinness World Record reading rally in collaboration with My Family Companion on 5th May 2026; Amref International University engaged NEC/O members to explore potential areas of collaboration; The NWC Chairperson for HPV, Cervical Cancer, and Other Cancers initiated discussions with MSD regarding HPV vaccine rollout in the public sector and also ongoing discussions with the Health Community of West Africa Association focused on collaboration around HPV rapid test kits.

Funding activities under the second year of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation grant commenced in earnest. Reports of activities undertaken across states showed varying levels of compliance, with 18 out of 37 branches submitting in April, 19 in May, and 13 in June. Reports from National Working Committees were fewer, with six submissions in April, five in May, and only one in June.

Advocacy efforts included the submission of position papers to the NMA on the National Health Facility Regulatory Agency Bill and the University Teaching Hospitals (Reconstitution of Boards) Bill.

Administrative updates included the employment of a content creator to support social media publications and serve as a personal assistant to the National President. The Secretariat continues to operate virtually through the administrative staff and content creator.

1.2 International Activities

On the international front, the association participated in the American Medical Women’s Association’s Physician Fertility Summit webinar held on 6th June 2026, thereby strengthening its global engagement and visibility.

MWAN, through its state branches and NWC also commemorated World Health Day on 7th April, World Malaria Day on 25th April, Mental Health Awareness month in May, international Day of the Midwives on 5th May, World Ovarian Cancer day on 8th May, International Nurses Day on 12th May, World Hypertension Day on 17th May, internal Day of Action for Women’s Health on 28th May, World No Tobacco Day on 31st May and World Sickle Cell Day on 19th June 2026.

2.0 Conclusion

The Secretariat remains firmly committed to enhancing coordination, strengthening partnerships, and improving accountability. While challenges such as high travel costs for NEC meetings, incomplete handover processes, and inconsistent reporting from states and committees persist, proactive measures are being pursued. These include exploring hybrid formats for meetings to reduce costs, enforcing stricter compliance with reporting requirements, and finalizing handover and capitation processes to ensure smooth operations. Looking ahead, the Secretariat will continue to advance strategic priorities, foster collaborations, and ensure effective advocacy for health and policy issues, thereby reinforcing its role in driving the association’s mission.