NSSF commemorated its fifth anniversary at a media briefing in Lagos themed “Five Years, Thirty-One Million Stories,” celebrating an impact journey that has reached more than 31 million people across Nigeria while setting a boulder, equity-driven direction for the years ahead.
“Our anniversary theme, Five Years, Thirty-One Million Stories, reminds us that every data point is a mother, a child, a family, a future,” said Mr. Tunde Folawiyo, NSSF Board Chairman in his opening remark.
“This moment is both a celebration and a recommitment.” Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Vice Chairman of Global Citizen and NSSF Board Member, highlighted NSSF’s measurable impact:
“22.56 million Nigerians educated on preventive health measures. • 12,000 frontline health workers trained.
”4.98 million people vaccinated against COVID-19. • 156,125 children under five immunized.
“20,651 pregnant women vaccinated against tetanus-diphtheria. • 562 young Nigerians trained as advocates through the WeNaija Youth Program, with 1,855 further mobilized nationwide.
”As part of its forward strategy, the Fund will now operate under the simplified name NSSF across all communications.
”This rebranding signal a clarity of purpose and a stronger posture.
”NSSF’s new framework rests on two strategic pillars:
“NSSF Policy (Mainstream): policy engagement, evidence generation, and system level advocacy, especially around maternal health, primary health systems, and health financing, to remove structural barriers to care at national and sub-national levels.
”WeNaija by NSSF (Youth Arm): a youth-centered platform that trains, mentors, and funds young Nigerians to gather data, advocate, and co-create local solutions, because sustainable health transformation must include youth”.
In her rebranding address, Dr. Fejiro Chinye-Nwoko, MD/CEO of NSSF, underscored the organization’s evolution and mandate:
“Five years ago, we began as an emergency response. Today, we stand as a health-equity organization with a clear mandate: to address Nigeria’s most pressing health issues through youth advocacy and policy development.
”Our work is about turning voices into evidence, and evidence into decisions that expand access to care, especially for those historically left behind.”
The anniversary underscores NSSF’s transition from emergency response to long-horizon health equity.
The ambitions for the next five years are for NSSF to translate community generated evidence into policy notes/briefs, each tied to a clear decision-maker and timeline; convene multi-stakeholder roundtables.
As for the youth-arm their aim is to institutionalise youth-led health advocacy, equipping young leaders with toolkits, mentorship, and micro-grants, establishing active advocacy chapters in communities and campuses; generating community data that feeds into NSSF policy briefs; and creating touchpoints with state and national decision makers.
The celebration ended with appreciation to NSSF partners, staff, and media for amplifying public-interest issues and sustaining collaboration toward a healthier, more equitable Nigeria.