A historic Memorandum of Agreement signals renewed commitment to tackling SRHR, SGBV, and adolescent health challenges
The Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN), and the Media, Health and Rights Initiative of Nigeria (MHR), have signed a landmark Memorandum of Agreement (MoA), uniting two of Nigeria’s foremost public health and development communications organisations in a strategic alliance to advance Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) for young people across the country.
The partnership, which brings together the medical expertise of APHPN and the media and youth reach of MHR, is designed to tackle some of the most pressing yet underreported issues in public health — including taboo-like topics of unsafe abortion causing maternal mortality, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), adolescent reproductive health, and the rampant spread of health misinformation, disinformation, and malformation affecting women, children, and marginalised persons in Nigeria.
A Partnership Rooted in Shared Mission
Speaking at the signing ceremony, APHPN President, Dr. Terfa Kene, described the MoA as a natural alignment of values and vision.
“This partnership is fully in line with the mission and vision of APHPN, which is to develop and sustain excellence in public health physicians at all levels, contributing to the attainment of better health, equity, and well-being of all Nigerians,” Dr. Kene stated.
MHR Executive Director, Alu Azege, echoed the sentiment, emphasising the organisation’s commitment to reaching the most vulnerable.
“MHR aims to empower young people — especially women, girls, and other vulnerable groups — with comprehensive information and psychosocial support that enables them to claim their rights and make informed choices,” she said.
Leveraging Technology and Community for Impact
At the heart of the collaboration is Love Matters Naija, MHR’s flagship demand-generating platform for youth SRHR issues. The platform currently boasts over 800,000 community members and features padiChat — a first-level psychosocial support AI chatbot — through which the partnership’s resources and expertise will be channelled directly to young Nigerians seeking health information and support.
This partnership signals a renewed commitment to factual and evidence base education, advocacy, education, and action, ensuring that no voice is unheard and no life is left behind,” Azege added.
APHPN is the professional body for public health physicians in Nigeria, dedicated to excellence in public health practice and the attainment of health equity for all Nigerians.
MHR Initiative of Nigeria is a development communications organisation that uses media and technology to empower young people with information on sexual and reproductive health and rights, with a particular focus on women, girls, and vulnerable populations.
APHPN takes the lead in advancing public health in Nigeria – focusing on youth and adolescents sexual and reproductive health.
