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.
The partnership is expected to significantly amplify advocacy, education, and direct community engagement, ensuring that accurate, evidence-based health information reaches young people at scale.
*Addressing a Critical Gap*
Nigeria continues to face significant challenges in adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health, with misinformation and cultural taboos contributing to poor health outcomes, unmet need for contraception, and underreporting of gender-based violence.
This MoA represents a deliberate effort by both organisations to bridge the gap between clinical public health expertise and community-level communications — combining the diagnostic and policy strength of APHPN with the storytelling and digital reach of MHRIN.
_”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.
*About APHPN*
The Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria 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.
