NIGERIA: OverviewNigeria Overview | Current Projects | Publications | Feature Stories 
Extensive Experience
Since 1965 Pathfinder International has been a leader in supporting accessible reproductive health care and family planning throughout Nigeria. Collaborating with a range of Nigerian organizations and communities, Pathfinder works to increase the quality and accessibility of care—particularly for underserved populations.
Current Conditions
Nigeria has the largest population of any African country—nearly one in five Africans is Nigerian. And though rich in natural resources, 60 percent of Nigerians live below the poverty line. Because so many lack access to health care, the country faces a range of health challenges including one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world and the second highest total population infected with HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.
Meeting Diverse Reproductive Health Needs
Pathfinder currently supports eight projects in Nigeria, including the innovative Continuum of Care Project: Addressing Postpartum Hemorrhage in India and Nigeria, and is the lead partner in one of the largest integrated health and education projects in Africa, The Community Participation for Action in the Social Sector (COMPASS). Pathfinder/Nigeria’s work particularly focuses on:
Broad Reach
Pathfinder/Nigeria reaches a wide array of the country’s population in all 6 geopolitical zones, including in the hard-to-reach North. As one of the first organizations to work in Northern Nigeria, an area where health indices such as maternal mortality are particularly high, Pathfinder has widely promoted healthy timing and spacing of pregnancies among conservative Muslims and garnered support from thousands of religious and traditional leaders for reproductive health care. Last year alone, Pathfinder reached more than 2.2 million people throughout the country with reproductive health information and services. 
Current and recent Projects in Nigeria
The Community Participation for Action in the Social Sector Project: COMPASS is a major collaborative, USAID-funded effort that primarily focuses on reproductive health, family planning, child survival, and basic education.
Continuum of Care: Addressing Postpartum Hemorrhage in India and Nigeria: An innovative project to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with postpartum hemorrhage in India and Nigeria.
Private Sector Family Planning Service Delivery—Phase III: In partnership with local organizations, Pathfinder is increasing access to and availability of reproductive health and family planning services in Northern Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory.
Improved Reproductive Health in Nigeria: This project improves access to contraceptives and information to reduce unintended or mistimed pregnancies and reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections.
Enabling HIV & AIDS, TB and Social Sector Environment (ENHANSE): Led by the Futures Group, Pathfinder's role focuses on working with religious and government organizations to develop policies addressing an array of social/health issues.
Sustainable Maternal Health Care Behavior Improvement Initiative: A project focused on reducing maternal mortality and improving the quality of life for women in three rural communities.
The Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program: A program that provides educational opportunities for exceptional individuals in public health and other fields promoting social and economic justice.
Pathfinder’s Emerging Leaders Development Program: A recently ended project that successfully developed advocacy and project management skills for 30 Nigerian leaders.
Promoting Safe Motherhood in Nigeria: Recently completed, this project built provider skills and delivered quality maternal health care services in three communities.
Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV in Kaduna State: During this short project, more than 80 providers were trained to deliver PMTCT services in 9 facilities.
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