ACEPHAP, through the KASSEP initiative, conducted a two day training on the WHO Verbal Autopsy Tool from 15 to 16 October 2026 in Kano to strengthen medical doctors’ capacity to investigate maternal deaths, improve mortality data collection, and support evidence informed health policies. The training covered verbal and social autopsy procedures, data collection, and ethical considerations, including informed consent, confidentiality, and sensitivity when engaging bereaved families. The initiative aims to strengthen maternal mortality surveillance and support efforts to reduce preventable maternal deaths in Kano State.

The Africa Centre of Excellence for Population Health and Policy (ACEPHAP) presented the first-year achievements of the Making Caesarean Section Safe in Kano project at a dissemination meeting held on October 9, 2026. Implemented in partnership with the Global Surgery Foundation and the Kano State Ministry of Health, the project recorded an increase in Surgical Safety Checklist adherence from 0% to 78.4% across 3,358 caesarean sections, while surgical site infections declined from 9.2% to 4.8%. The project also strengthened healthcare capacity through training for over 215 health workers, leadership development for 59 professionals, and the provision of essential equipment and supplies to ten participating facilities. Commending the progress, the Kano State Commissioner of Health directed the adoption of the project’s standard operating procedures and training curricula across secondary and tertiary health facilities, while ACEPHAP announced plans to extend the intervention to Jigawa State.

The Africa Centre of Excellence for Population Health and Policy (ACEPHAP) hosted the AIM-MNCHN Advocacy Consortium partners meeting from 28–29 September 2026 in Kano to review advocacy progress, share lessons, and align priorities with the TEAM-OB/NEO programme. Partners from ACEPHAP, Pathfinder, MWAN and CCSI developed an updated Theory of Change, Results Framework and work plan to guide future advocacy and policy engagement. The meeting also emphasized evidence informed policy, stronger political commitment, strategic communication, and sustaining existing partnerships and advocacy platforms to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes.

The EMBRACE Nigeria Partners Meeting, held in Abuja from 22–25 September 2026, brought together key partners to review Year 1 evidence and shape the next phase of maternal and newborn health interventions in Gombe State. Discussions focused on six priority areas, including human resources, emergency referrals, infrastructure, commodities, quality improvement and continuity of care, with emphasis on developing practical, sustainable and patient-centered solutions. The consortium also engaged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to align EMBRACE with national RMNCH+N priorities. As the project enters its next phase, partners remain committed to translating evidence into action and strengthening maternal and newborn health systems.

The Africa Centre of Excellence for Population Health and Policy (ACEPHAP), led by Prof. Hadiza Shehu Galadanci, is exploring innovative approaches to strengthen the early detection of postpartum haemorrhage during Caesarean section. Through a two-day hands-on training at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Nigeria’s E-MASTER Trial team and international researchers from the United States, United Kingdom and Pakistan received practical exposure to the Armor Optical Sensor, a wearable technology designed to provide continuous physiological monitoring.

The African Centre of Excellence for Population Health and Policy (ACEPHAP) hosted a five-day Grantsmanship Training in Zaria, bringing together researchers and academics to strengthen their research development and grant writing skills. Led by experienced facilitators, the training provided practical knowledge on developing strong research ideas, identifying funding opportunities, writing competitive proposals, research methodology, ethics, literature searching, epidemiological study designs, clinical trials, research teams, institutional grant support, research translation and effective budgeting.