In public health, there is often a vast—and sometimes deadly—distance between a government’s signature on a global pledge and a woman receiving a contraceptive method at her local health facility. This gap is shaped by broken supply chains, delayed budget disbursements, and unfulfilled commitments. For years, this “accountability gap” has stalled progress in family planning in Nigeria. While policies were developed and commitments made, resources rarely reached the facilities that needed them most. Government spending consistently fell short of promises, and the voices of women and young people—those most affected—were largely absent from the decision-making spaces where budgets were determined.
Led by the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN), with technical support from Samasha, the Motion Tracker Approach (MTA) helped shift this dynamic. Advocates were no longer positioned as petitioners, but as credible partners. Equipped with data and evidence, they secured a permanent seat at Nigeria’s highest-level health coordination platforms. Civil society representation in the national RMNCAH+N Core Technical Working Group nearly doubled, increasing from 123 to 242 members by the end of 2025.
However, representation alone was not enough. The real test came with the 2025 family planning budget. Using the Motion Tracker Approach, advocates followed each stage of the budget process closely. When funds began to stall, they moved beyond reporting—convening stakeholders, presenting clear and compelling evidence of funding gaps, and applying sustained, coordinated pressure for action.
This approach delivered results. Government allocations for family planning commodities increased to cover 16% of the total need in 2025—a critical step toward closing the gap between policy and practice.
While challenges remain, this experience demonstrates the power of data-driven advocacy and meaningful civil society engagement. By bridging the space between commitments and delivery, accountability efforts such as the MTA are helping ensure that public health promises translate into tangible outcomes for women and communities