The Wellbeing Foundation Africa joined the Society for Adolescent and Young People’s Health in Nigeria (SAYPHIN) at the 4th Nigeria Conference on Adolescent and Youth Health and Development, held under the theme “The Evolving Adolescent and Youth in a Digital Age: Building Resilient Young People in a Changing World.” Alongside esteemed partners including UNICEF, UNFPA Nigeria, and other key stakeholders, the Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the health, rights, and wellbeing of young people across the country.
At this critical platform, WBFA highlighted its efforts to promote Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, while also advancing safer motherhood practices that equip young women with knowledge and support for safer births. Through the MamaCare360 programme and our Digital Midwifery initiative, which are already reaching more than 12,000 new mothers, we continue to demonstrate how tailored education and digital solutions can bridge vital gaps in maternal and child health. With the backing of our social impact partner Reckitt, through Dettol Nigeria, we are also equipping adolescents with essential personal, social, health, and economic education, focusing on water, sanitation, and hygiene. This intervention, which has already impacted over 200,000 people in schools and healthcare facilities across Nigeria, underscores the direct link between hygiene, education, and long-term wellbeing.
In addition to these ongoing efforts, WBFA used the conference to shed light on Project Oscar Light for Life, an initiative aimed at addressing the high prevalence of neonatal jaundice. By raising awareness and improving community understanding of how to identify and respond promptly to jaundice, this project seeks to ensure healthier outcomes for newborns and provide families with the confidence and knowledge to act swiftly.
Our participation at the conference was also marked by two insightful abstract presentations. Mrs. Eunice Akhigbe, WBFA’s Digital Midwife, presented findings from MamaCare360: Leveraging WhatsApp to Support Young Mothers with Education and Counselling in Nigeria, which demonstrated how digital platforms can effectively extend maternal care and counselling services. Complementing this, Mr. Rasheed Yusuf, our Director for Public Policy and Impact, presented on Youth, Hygiene, and Climate Action: Advancing Health and Environmental Sustainability Through the Dettol Hygiene Quest. His presentation emphasized the powerful role of young people in linking health practices with climate sustainability, showcasing how hygiene education can serve as both a health intervention and an environmental safeguard.
These contributions underscore WBFA’s unwavering commitment to equipping young people with the knowledge, tools, and support they need to make informed decisions about their health, their families, and their communities. The SAYPHIN Conference has provided a valuable opportunity to “catch them young,” ensuring that adolescents and youth are not only informed but empowered to lead healthier lives. By nurturing resilience, leadership, and practical skills, we are collectively shaping a future where young people thrive and contribute meaningfully in an ever-changing world.