Trailblazer Initiative Nigeria is honoured to participate in the Budget Advocacy for Public Health Workshop currently taking place in Nairobi, Kenya. The workshop is hosted by the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) and brings together civil society organizations (CSOs), health advocates, and public health experts from across the continent to strengthen advocacy for better financing of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) prevention and control.
Representing Trailblazer Initiative Nigeria are our Executive Director, Dr. Dare Olagoke-Adaramoye, and our Finance Officer, Aishat Oyedeji. Their participation builds on a journey that began earlier in 2025, focused on enhancing our budget advocacy skills and deepening our engagement in public health financing conversations.
The sessions have been filled with thought-provoking discussions and strategic insights. One of the standout moments came from Marine of Resolve to Save Lives (@resolvetosavelives), who challenged CSOs to rethink their advocacy approach. She emphasized:
“We shouldn’t only tell government what happens if they invest; we should show what happens if they don’t.”
This powerful reminder reflects the need for data-driven, evidence-backed advocacy that not only highlights the benefits of investment but also paints a clear picture of the consequences of inaction.
Another significant insight came from Vandana Shah of GHAI, who highlighted the importance of storytelling in policy advocacy:
“Human-angle stories move people to action more than data.”
She further emphasized the critical role of accountability in public health financing, adding:
“A health win is not a win if the funds are not released, utilized, and tracked.”
Her message reinforces the central role CSOs must play—not just in securing policy wins—but in ensuring that these wins translate into real impact for communities.
Non-Communicable Diseases remain a rising threat in Nigeria, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. Strengthening budget advocacy for NCDs is essential for ensuring that prevention and control efforts are adequately funded, implemented, and monitored.
At Trailblazer Initiative Nigeria, we believe that stronger advocacy leads to stronger systems—and ultimately, healthier communities. The insights gathered from this workshop will shape our future work, enhance our advocacy strategies, and improve our ability to push for accountable and equitable health financing in Nigeria.
As we continue this learning journey, we remain committed to championing health equity, amplifying community voices, and working collaboratively to build a resilient health system for all.
