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Founder, Child Health Advocacy Initiative, Dr. Elizabeth Alonge
Few moments in a lifetime truly capture the depth of a life’s work—but for Dr. Elizabeth Lola Alonge, that moment came into sharp focus recently, when her organization, the Child Health Advocacy Initiative (CHAI), was honoured by The Guardian Newspaper. The recognition was not just another accolade; it was a powerful testament to over 25 years of unwavering dedication to improving the lives of women and children across Nigeria.
For a woman whose journey has been defined by advocacy, compassion, and impact, the award stands as both validation and motivation. From championing exclusive breastfeeding and maternal wellbeing to leading bold campaigns against female genital mutilation and advancing girl-child empowerment, Dr. Alonge has consistently remained at the forefront of transformative change. Her work—deeply rooted in community engagement and strengthened by global partnerships—has not only influenced policies but also reshaped countless lives.
In this exclusive interview with Citypeople reporter, Jamiu Abubakar (08085185886), Dr. Alonge reflects on the inspiration behind CHAI, the challenges that tested her resolve, and the milestones that continue to define her legacy. She also shares powerful insights into the evolving needs of women and children, and why her passion for maternal and child development remains as strong today as it was at the very beginning. Below are excerpts:
For over 25 years, your work has focused on women and children. What inspired the birth of Child Health Advocacy Initiative?
As a woman and a mother, I have personally experienced the challenges of balancing motherhood, career, and everyday life. I realized that many women go through this phase with little or no structured support, especially in areas such as breastfeeding, parenting, and maternal wellbeing. There are limited institutions dedicated to guiding mothers through these critical stages.
This realization inspired me to establish Child Health Advocacy Initiative (CHAI) to fill that gap providing women with the knowledge, skills, and support they need to navigate motherhood successfully.
In addition, my background in public relations and advertising positioned me to effectively communicate health messages and amplify the voices of underserved populations. I saw an opportunity to use my expertise to advocate for women and children on a larger scale.
Furthermore, my experience working with international organizations such as USAID, UNICEF, and Save the Children exposed me to global best practices. I was inspired to leverage this knowledge to make a more direct and lasting impact, particularly for women, children, and the girl child in Nigeria.
Looking back at the early days, what were some of the biggest challenges you faced, and how did they shape your organization?
From inception, CHAI has focused on critical areas including maternal and child health, child protection and safeguarding, girl-child education, and poverty alleviation in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.
One of our biggest challenges has been funding. However, this challenge pushed us to become highly innovative and partnership-driven. We established strong partnerships with private sector organisations and philanthropists.
The media has also played a vital role in our journey. Several media houses supported our campaigns by offering free airtime, editorial coverage, and advertising spaces. For instance, Channels Television provided prime-time exposure for our breastfeeding and nutrition campaigns during World Breastfeeding Week. TVC supported our campaign to end female genital mutilation, while The Guardian Newspaper consistently amplified our immunization and child protection messages.
We also received support from outdoor advertising agencies that provided billboard spaces at no cost. These partnerships not only helped us overcome funding constraints but also strengthened our resilience and expanded our reach significantly.
Your recent recognition by The Guardian Newspaper is a major milestone. What does this award mean to you?
This recognition is deeply inspiring and reinforces my commitment to continue serving humanity. It is a reminder that our efforts are seen and that every life we impact truly counts. While I have received several awards over the years, including the United Nations Scaling Up Nutrition Champion Award, the Sustainable Development Goals Award in Nigeria, and several others, each recognition reminds me that the work we do truly matters.
Through CHAI, we have contributed to improving infant and young child nutrition, particularly in promoting exclusive breastfeeding and supporting policy changes such as paid extended maternity leave in several states of the federation.
My work has also provided opportunities to serve at a higher level, including as a Governing Board Member of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). I have supported the Lagos State Ministry of Health with technical expertise and resource mobilization, including facilitating donations of equipment to primary healthcare centres.
Beyond CHAI, I serve as a Matron of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, where I help mobilize resources and support vulnerable children at the Motherless and Abandoned Babies Home.
I have also authored several books on maternal and child development, including “Baby and child Care” and “Breastfeeding Made Easy”
This award is not just a personal achievement, it is a reflection of the lives we have touched and a motivation to do even more.
Can you share powerful success stories that capture the essence of your mission?
Two major success stories stand out.
The first is our contribution to increasing exclusive breastfeeding rates in Nigeria. About a decade ago, the rate was approximately 17%, but today it has risen to about 50%. This progress was achieved through sustained advocacy, large-scale media campaigns, and strong partnerships with various stakeholders..
We also trained health workers and peer mother supporters across communities. Through our “CHAI Nutrition Moms” platform, mothers receive guidance from lactation consultants and health professionals, helping them practice exclusive breastfeeding and proper complementary feeding.
The second is our work in reducing female genital mutilation (FGM). In Osun State, where prevalence rate was once as high as 77%, we implemented strategic advocacy campaigns involving the media, medical students, traditional rulers such as the Ooni of Ife, and even practitioners of FGM.
By educating communities on the dangers of FGM and supporting alternative livelihoods for practitioners, we contributed to a significant reduction in prevalence to about 42%, in collaboration with partners such as UNICEF and UNFPA.
These stories demonstrate the power of community engagement, partnerships, and sustained advocacy.
How have the needs of women and children evolved, and how has CHAI adapted?
Over the years, we have seen a clear shift in the needs of women and children, and we have adapted accordingly.
We realized that for mothers to adequately care for their children, they must also be economically empowered. This led us to incorporate livelihood and vocational training into our programs, helping women become financially independent and better able to support their families.
We have also intensified our focus on the girl child, recognizing that education and empowerment lead to better health and life outcomes. Empowering a girl with skills today is transforming a nation tomorrow. Our STEM-focused initiatives provide young girls especially those from vulnerable backgrounds with training in areas such as web and app development, as well as phone and computer repairs.
These programs, typically lasting about four months, equip participants with practical skills, and some receive start up kits and laptops. Many have gone on to secure employment or start their own businesses.
Finally, sustainability remains central to our approach. We actively involve local governments, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community stakeholders in program design and implementation. This ensures ownership, relevance, and long-term impact. When communities are involved change becomes sustainable and truly transformative.
