At the 7th Nigeria Academy of Science (NAS) Conference, dRPC led a high-level roundtable, with support from Sight and Life, bringing together experts from government, academia, the pharmaceutical industry, civil society, and development partners to discuss scaling Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) for pregnant women in Nigeria.
The conversation focused on translating research into actionable policy, financing, and market solutions that ensure sustainable impact. Since 2024, dRPC and Sight and Life have collaborated to map Nigeria’s MMS policy landscape, fiscal capacity, and product markets, laying the groundwork for nationwide rollout and scale-up.
Nigeria’s transition from Iron–Folic Acid Supplementation (IFAS) to Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) for pregnant women began in 2021 with a Ministerial Order, aligned with WHO guidelines. The 2023 administration reinforced this shift in 2024, including MMS in the National Essential Medicines List to support public procurement and cost-effective implementation.
By December 2025, policy momentum culminated at the Biennial National Micronutrient Conference, where the government unveiled key instruments for MMS scale-up, including the Roadmap for Scaling MMS (2025–2029), the Micronutrient Supplementation Landscape Analysis Report, and the Nutrition in Emergencies Strategy. MMS was also integrated into the National Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition.

The Roundtable discussions emphasized translating these policies into sustainable delivery systems. Participants highlighted localizing MMS production and strengthening domestic financing as critical steps to reduce reliance on imports and donations. Investments in local manufacturing, supported by the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain, were identified as essential for reducing costs, improving supply, and integrating MMS into government procurement and health insurance schemes.

Experts shared insights on demand generation, regulatory readiness, implementation research, and market shaping, underscoring that scaling MMS requires coordinated action across sectors beyond the health system.

Through its partnership and support from Sight and Life, dRPC will continue to support the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in implementing the Roadmap for Scaling MMS (2025–2029), aiming to strengthen the connection between research, policy, and markets and ultimately improve maternal nutrition outcomes across Nigeria.