The event, titled “Shaping the Future of MNCH: Country-Led Policy & Financing Dialogue,” was convened by the SMART Advocacy for Strategic Action (SASA) Alliance and a consortium of partners. It brought together ministers, parliamentarians, and global health leaders to address the persistent gaps in maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH).

In his closing remarks, Professor Adelegan declared that the world is not facing a knowledge gap, but rather a “delivery, quality, equity, and financing gap.” He framed the annual US$20-25 billion financing deficit for MNCH not as a mere statistic, but as a “gap between life and death” that translates into health facilities without essential equipment, stock-outs of life-saving commodities, and communities left without access to basic care.

“These are not just numbers,” Professor Adelegan stated. “They represent lives lost to postpartum haemorrhage, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and newborn sepsis. They represent new-borns dying from birth asphyxia and prematurity. Let us be clear: the majority of these deaths are preventable. And this is what makes the situation not only tragic but unacceptable.”

Professor Adelegan outlined a three-pronged strategy for transformative change, urging leaders to move beyond fragmented, unsustainable financing models:

1. Strengthened Domestic Resource Mobilization: He called on countries to move toward the Abuja target of allocating at least 15% of national budgets to health, prioritizing primary healthcare and MNCH services while reducing out-of-pocket expenditures.
2. Innovative and Catalytic Financing: He highlighted the potential of blended finance, health bonds, and other innovative instruments to mobilize large-scale private investment and expand fiscal space for health.
3. South-South and Triangular Cooperation: Professor Adelegan emphasized that South-South Cooperation is “no longer optional, it is essential.” He positioned PPD as a central player in enabling countries to share and scale cost-effective MNCH solutions, from community health worker programs to maternal death surveillance and response systems.

He concluded with a powerful call to action, urging the distinguished delegates to leave the room not with declarations, but with concrete commitments.

“The future of maternal, new-born, and child health will not be determined by what we say,” he affirmed. “It will be determined by what we do. Let us act boldly, urgently, technically, and collectively. Because the time for action is now.”

The event provided a critical platform for dialogue on country-led solutions and set a clear agenda for leveraging policy, advocacy, and financing to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals for maternal and child health.

:: Read the Closing Remarks

Professor Joseph Akinkugbe Adelegan with SASA Alliance team at the IMNHC 2026

Executive Director, Professor Joseph Akinkugbe Adelegan with Gates Foundation Staff, Mr. Patrick Mugirwa – Acting Regional Director – PPD African Regional Office,  and SASA Alliance team

The high-level meeting, held from February 25-26 at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre, convened under the theme, “Advancing Health Systems for emergency response, equity, resilience and sustainability in the context of attaining Universal Health Coverage (UHC): Re-positioning the Role of Parliamentarians.” Professor Adelegan played a pivotal role in the proceedings, delivering the opening remarks, a keynote presentation, and the closing remarks for the influential gathering of African lawmakers.

In his keynote address on “Innovative & Catalytic Financing for Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) to Achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC),” Professor Adelegan outlined a strategic financial roadmap to bridge the significant funding gaps in Africa’s health sector. He called for a move beyond traditional donor funding towards a more sustainable model that includes earmarked health taxes, social health insurance expansion, blended finance models, diaspora bonds, and impact investment instruments. He emphasized that these financial frameworks must be paired with catalytic investments in high-impact areas such as community health workers, local pharmaceutical manufacturing, and digital health platforms.

Throughout his speeches, Professor Adelegan consistently underscored the indispensable role of legislators in transforming health systems. He challenged the parliamentarians to move beyond being mere endorsers of policy to becoming the primary drivers of reform.

“Parliamentarians are not peripheral actors in the health ecosystem. They are central architects of national resilience,” Professor Adelegan stated in his opening remarks. “Through legislation, budget approvals, oversight, and constituency representation, parliaments shape the trajectory of health systems. Re-positioning parliamentarians means recognizing them not merely as policy approvers, but as champions of resilience, custodians of equity, and stewards of sustainability.”

The meeting culminated in the adoption of the Lusaka Call to Action, a landmark document that Professor Adelegan urged should be a measurable and actionable commitment rather than a symbolic gesture. In his closing remarks, he championed the inclusion of specific, numeric benchmarks within the Call to Action, including commitments to reduce out-of-pocket health expenditure below 20%, achieve annual maternal mortality reductions of at least 10%, and close 30% of the unmet need for contraception by 2030.

Professor Adelegan reaffirmed PPD’s unwavering commitment to supporting these efforts through its mandate to promote South-South and Triangular Cooperation. He highlighted that PPD stands ready to partner with NEAPACOH to share proven models for insurance reform, exchange financing innovations, and collaborate on strengthening the health workforce and local pharmaceutical production across the continent.

“May history record that in February 2026, African parliamentarians gathered in Lusaka not merely to discuss UHC but to legislate its future,” he concluded. “The future of Africa’s health systems depends not on what we have said here but on what we will enact tomorrow.”

Professor Adelegan’s influential participation in the 17th NEAPACOH Meeting has reinforced PPD’s position as a key partner in advancing health equity and sustainable development across the Global South, emphasizing that legislative action and financial innovation are the cornerstones of building a healthier future for all Africans.

PPD Executive Director with the Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, Rt. Hon Dr Nelly B.K. Mutti 

PPD Executive Director with Dr Amina Aminu Dorayi, the Regional Portfolio Director, West and Central Africa, PATHFINDER

:: Remarks by PPD ED at the Opening 

:: Remarks by PPD ED at the Closing

:: Presentation by PPD ED on “Innovative & Catalytic Financing for Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) to Achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC)”

Representing the BOAD President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, H.E. Serge Ekué, Vice President DAFFE welcomed the delegation. The discussions marked a pivotal moment for potential collaboration between PPD, an intergovernmental alliance of 28 member countries, and BOAD, the common financing institution for the member states of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU).

Professor Adelegan presented the organization’s mandate to institutionalize and expand South-South Cooperation, a mission that originated from the landmark 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo. He highlighted PPD’s unique role in facilitating intergovernmental policy dialogue and technical cooperation among its member states, which collectively represent over 60% of the world’s population.

This courtesy visit is to explore potential areas of collaboration between the strategic priorities of Partners in Population and Development and the strategic pillars of the West African Development Bank. The meeting also served as an opportunity for Professor Adelegan to introduce the new leadership at PPD and to congratulate Vice President DAFFE on his appointment in April 2025. H.E. Mr. DAFFE brings a wealth of experience to his role, having previously served as the Minister of Economy and Finance for the Republic of Mali and holding extensive leadership positions in the banking sector across Africa.

Both leaders expressed a strong commitment to identifying concrete areas for partnership. Professor Adelegan shared policy briefs detailing PPD’s documented best practices with the potential for scaling up across the African continent. The discussions concluded with a mutual understanding to continue the dialogue and delineate specific collaborative projects that leverage the strengths of both institutions to achieve shared development goals.

During the courtesy visit, which was part of the Executive Director’s official mission to Benin, Prof. Adelegan formally introduced himself as the new head of PPD and provided a comprehensive overview of the organization’s mandate to promote South-South cooperation among its 28 member states. He emphasized PPD’s unique role in facilitating the exchange of knowledge and best practices in reproductive health, population, and sustainable development.

A key focus of the discussion was the shared commitment of PPD and UNFPA to eradicate preventable maternal deaths. The leaders explored a potential project collaboration on Zero Maternal Mortality in Benin Republic, a critical area of need. Prof. Adelegan highlighted that PPD could leverage the experiences and successful interventions from its member countries to support Benin’s efforts in this area.

Mr. TIEMOKO, a distinguished statistician-demographer with extensive experience in the UN system, welcomed the Executive Director and expressed strong interest in the proposed collaboration. The meeting concluded with a mutual understanding to continue the dialogue and develop a concrete framework for the Zero Maternal Mortality initiative.

This strategic engagement marks a significant step forward in the partnership between PPD and UNFPA Benin, with a clear focus on delivering tangible, life-saving results for the women and families of Benin Republic.

The high-level meeting, held at the Ministry of Health office in Cotonou, marked a significant step in reinforcing the strong partnership between PPD and the Republic of Benin. Professor Adelegan formally introduced himself as the new leader of PPD and took the opportunity to brief the Honorable Minister on PPD’s ongoing global and regional activities aimed at advancing sexual and reproductive health, population, and development through the framework of South-South and Triangular Cooperation.

During the productive discussions, Professor Adelegan and H.E. Professor Hounkpatin explored future collaboration possibilities to further strengthen Benin’s health systems and advance its development goals. They discussed opportunities for Benin to leverage PPD’s extensive network of 28 member countries to share best practices, access technical expertise, and engage in innovative, context-specific solutions that address the nation’s unique health challenges.

Professor Adelegan expressed his deep appreciation for the Honorable Minister’s invaluable contributions to PPD during his tenure as a member of the Executive Committee. He lauded H.E. Professor Hounkpatin’s leadership and unwavering commitment to the principles of South-South Cooperation, which have been instrumental in guiding PPD’s strategic direction.

The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to enhance partnership and explore new avenues for joint initiatives. Professor Adelegan’s visit to Benin underscores PPD’s dedication to engaging directly with its member countries to ensure that the organization’s work remains aligned with national priorities and responsive to the needs of the people it serves.

The high-level meeting, held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, served as a vital platform to reinforce the partnership between PPD and Nigeria’s principal institution for population data and management. Also present at the meeting was Dr. Kehinde Seun-Addie, the Acting Director of the Population Management and Development Department of the Commission.

During the courtesy visit, Prof. Adelegan introduced himself as the new head of PPD and provided a comprehensive overview of the organization’s mandate as an intergovernmental alliance of 28 member states dedicated to promoting South-South Cooperation in reproductive health, population, and sustainable development.

The discussion quickly centered on concrete areas for collaboration, with a primary focus on Nigeria’s upcoming population census. The leaders engaged in a detailed conversation about how PPD and the NPC can work together to ensure a successful and modern census. A significant part of the dialogue was dedicated to exploring how to build the necessary infrastructure both technical and human to execute a census of this scale effectively. Prof. Adelegan highlighted that PPD could facilitate knowledge sharing from other member countries that have recently conducted digital censuses, offering valuable lessons and best practices.

This forward-looking engagement reaffirms the commitment of both PPD and the National Population Commission to work closely together. By focusing on practical collaboration for the national census, the partnership is set to directly address Nigeria’s population dynamics and advance its sustainable development agenda through effective South-South cooperation.

Prof. Adelegan formally introduced himself as the new head of PPD and provided a comprehensive briefing on the organization’s mission to promote South-South cooperation. He expressed profound gratitude for Nigeria’s unwavering commitment since joining PPD in 2002, specifically acknowledging the nation’s generous support during the construction of the PPD Secretariat building in Dhaka.

The discussion then delved into specific areas of mutual interest. Prof. Adelegan briefed the Honorable Minister on PPD’s activities and highlighted the prevention of Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH) as a critical area for collaboration. He shared a powerful example of successful South-South knowledge exchange, noting that PPD member country China had made significant strides in this area and had generously donated Misoprostol to the Government of Bangladesh, leading to a substantial reduction in maternal mortality from PPH. This case study resonated as a practical demonstration of how PPD facilitates impactful, life-saving interventions between member countries.

Furthermore, the leaders discussed the strategic importance of harnessing the demographic dividend. They explored how Nigeria, with its youthful population, could leverage the experiences of other PPD member countries to develop policies that transform its demographic patterns into economic growth and sustainable development

Dr. Salako, who plays a crucial role in overseeing Nigeria’s health sector, welcomed the Executive Director and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the partnership. He expressed strong interest in the practical examples of South-South cooperation and the potential for applying similar models in Nigeria.

The meeting concluded with a mutual understanding to strengthen the collaboration, focusing on these specific, high-impact areas to advance Nigeria’s health and development agenda through the PPD platform. This engagement underscores the strong and enduring relationship between PPD and the Government of Nigeria and sets a positive trajectory for future joint initiatives.

Prof. Adelegan began by introducing himself as the new head of PPD and presented a comprehensive overview of the organization’s role in fostering South-South cooperation. He highlighted PPD’s unique repository of best practices from its member countries, a point that Ms. Mafico received with significant interest. While expressing profound appreciation for the long and fruitful partnership between UNFPA and PPD, the discussion quickly progressed to tangible opportunities for future collaboration.

A key area of immediate interest is Nigeria’s upcoming Population Census. Recognizing the monumental importance of this national exercise, Ms. Mafico expressed UNFPA’s keen interest in partnering with PPD to provide technical assistance to the Nigerian government. The leaders discussed the possibility of developing a joint proposal to support the census.

The dialogue also addressed the growing global challenge of population ageing. Prof. Adelegan highlighted the successful policies and programs implemented by PPD member country China, suggesting a trilateral collaboration where PPD and Nigeria could learn from China’s experience. Further demonstrating the value of PPD’s network, Ms. Mafico expressed a strong interest in the demographic patterns across PPD’s member states, recognizing the rich data and insights that could inform regional and global development strategies.

To support this enhanced level of knowledge sharing, Prof. Adelegan briefed Ms. Mafico on PPD’s development of a new, state-of-the-art knowledge portal. This digital platform will serve as a central hub for member countries to access data, research, and best practices. The concept of establishing a “Center of Excellence” in Nigeria, similar to a model PPD is developing with Kenya, was also discussed as a mechanism to institutionalize learning and innovation.

Finally, the leaders touched upon the critical need for innovative financial mechanisms to fund population and development programs sustainably. They agreed that this is a priority area where joint advocacy and a shared evidence base could unlock new resources.

This highly productive meeting marks a significant step forward in the PPD-UNFPA partnership. Both leaders concluded with a firm commitment to continued dialogue, tasking their teams to translate these exciting opportunities into concrete, impactful programs that will benefit Nigeria and the wider Global South.

The high-level meeting, held on February 12, 2026, was a key part of the Executive Director’s ongoing courtesy visit to Nigeria. It provided a valuable platform for Prof. Adelegan to formally introduce himself as the new head of PPD and to present the organization’s strategic vision and core activities in fostering South-South cooperation.

During the productive discussion, Prof. Adelegan expressed his deep appreciation for the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s unwavering support and significant contributions to PPD since it became a member country in 2003. He highlighted Nigeria’s vital role in advancing the principles of South-South cooperation and its leadership in population and development initiatives on the African continent and beyond.

The meeting underscored the mutual commitment to strengthening the long-standing partnership between PPD and the Nigerian government. It served as an important dialogue to align PPD’s programmatic goals with Nigeria’s national development priorities, ensuring that the collaboration continues to address the most pressing challenges in reproductive health, population dynamics, and sustainable development.