Mirian Gom 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Health experts and policymakers have called for the institutionalisation of the SARMAAN project, warning that Nigeria risks losing critical gains in child survival if proven interventions are not integrated into national health systems.
The appeal came as Nigeria marked the 2026 Day of the African Child, with stakeholders highlighting the need to sustain evidence-based approaches to reducing child mortality.
The Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance of Mass Administration of Azithromycin Among Children (SARMAAN project) has reached more than 16 million children across 11 northern states through partnerships involving the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, state governments and development organisations.
Experts say the programme has emerged as one of the country’s most impactful child survival initiatives in recent years.
Speaking during the commemoration, Project Lead of the SARMAAN Advocacy Team, Ikechukwu Ofuani, said the intervention had evolved beyond a donor-funded programme.
“SARMAAN has demonstrated how evidence-based interventions can significantly reduce preventable childhood illnesses and deaths. It is no longer just a project—it is a strategic child survival intervention with national relevance,” Ofuani said.
He stressed that long-term impact depends on stronger government ownership and integration into health policies.
“We must institutionalise these gains. The next phase must be defined by domestic ownership, integration into policy, and long-term financing beyond donor cycles,” he added.
Demilade Oseteku of SCIDaR described the SARMAAN project as a scalable model for addressing inequalities in child healthcare delivery.
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Korede Abdullah 