Hadiza Mohammed, Nigeria Health Watch | Lead Writer

In August 2025, Nigeria Health Watch, in partnership with MSI Nigeria Reproductive Choices, and Family Planning News Network embarked on a Solutions Journalism (SoJo) field trip to Kano State. The trip convened 20 journalists from northern Nigeria to explore how communities are responding to challenges around sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and family planning.

Over three days, the group visited Wudil and Rano Local Government Areas, engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, healthcare workers, traditional rulers, adolescent girls, patent and proprietary medicine vendors (PPMVs), and other community members. The experience was designed to move journalists beyond reporting problems alone, to digging deeper into the responses, innovations, and lessons from local communities.

“This partnership between MSI Nigeria Reproductive Choices and Nigeria Health Watch demonstrates that by working together, we can empower journalists to share solutions-driven sexual and reproductive health stories that inspire action and drive change.” Said Faruk Nanoh bello, Regional Marketing and Communication Advisor, MSI Nigeria Reproductive Choices.

Where Stories Come Alive

One of the clearest lessons from the trip was that story ideas are everywhere when journalists step into the community.

“This field trip has opened my eyes to the fact that journalism is not just about exposing problems, but about uncovering responses that are working. In communities like Rano and Wudil, I’ve seen how local innovations in health and family planning are changing lives and that’s the story we need to tell”, said Victor Christopher a reporter with Arewa Radio Kano.

By hearing directly from adolescent girls in Rano, or speaking with PPMVs in Wudil, journalists were able to see not just the barriers, but also the everyday solutions communities are adopting.

“We received training in 2022 under the IntegratE project to provide basic family planning services and refer cases we cannot manage to nearby primary health centres,” explained Dauda Yahaya Musa, a tier-one service provider at a local chemist. He added, “the project has greatly expanded my knowledge, particularly on counselling clients, dispensing pills and condoms, and knowing when referrals are necessary. On average, I interact with at least three people daily who come to purchase pills or condoms. I am very happy with this project because it has given me the skills and confidence to support people in my community who are seeking family planning services.”

Beyond data, stories shine

Another recurring theme was the difficulty of accessing credible and localised data on SRHR and family planning. Many journalists noted that while national statistics exist, they often do not capture the nuances at community level.

“The SoJo field trip has reshaped my understanding of the role collaboration plays in overcoming one of the biggest challenges we face as journalists, access to credible and localised data. As we know, information is power, and no good Solutions Journalism story can be told without accurate data. Through the training, I gained access to critical insights and find details that were only possible because of the collaborations already in place, which we were able to leverage.” said, Chima Azubuike a participating journalist

The trip reinforced the value of pairing data with lived experiences using evidence to strengthen reporting while ensuring community voices remain at the centre.

Partnerships make stories stronger

The field trip also highlighted the power of partnerships in shaping better stories. By engaging with civil society organisations, traditional rulers, and health providers, journalists were able to understand solutions in a more holistic way.

In Rano Emirate, a quiet but powerful shift is taking place. During the field visit, the Emir of Rano, Alhaji Muhammad Umar, shared how the acceptance of child spacing is transforming families in his community. He credited this progress to the growing support of men, alongside traditional and religious institutions. “Our men have accepted different methods of child spacing, and this has helped reduce the situation where families have more children than they can cater to,” he explained. The results, he added, are evident as children are healthier and happier, while mothers are stronger and better able to care for their households.

Hearing from traditional leaders revealed how cultural and religious gatekeepers can be allies in advancing reproductive health conversations, particularly in conservative communities. For journalists, these perspectives provide nuance, credibility, and depth to their reporting.

Going beyond the problem

Solutions Journalism is not about ignoring challenges, it is about going beyond them. During the trip, journalists were encouraged to ask: What is working? Who is making it work? What can others learn from this response?

As part of the field trip, we got the opportunity to visit the Furanni girls which is a programme under the Five Cowries’ in collaboration with Nigeria Health Watch that is helping adolescent girls embrace health awareness. Through the programme, they learn important lessons on health, hygiene, and self-care, while also tackling misconceptions and barriers to accessing healthcare.

“Before the training, we knew little about family planning or protecting ourselves from diseases. Now, we not only have the knowledge but also share it with our peers, using art and printed materials to debunk myths and raise awareness especially in these hard economic times.” said 18 years old Zainab Ibrahim from the Furanni program. They art product was exhibited at the 2025 Celebrating Womanhood Art Gala organised by Nigeria Health Watch with support from MSD for Mothers.

The field trip as a learning lab

Beyond generating story ideas, the trip was itself a hands-on classroom for journalists to practice the Solutions Journalism approach. By interacting directly with stakeholders, they were able to test interview techniques, gather evidence, and reflect on how to frame stories in a way that highlights both problems and responses.

“From our joint field trip with 20 journalists trained on Solutions Journalism, I learned that it’s not just about reporting problems, but highlighting practical solutions that inspire action, keeping women safe and productive, encouraging men’s support in health matters, and amplifying leaders’ voices to strengthen health systems”. Said Abdullahi Isah, Social Norms Advisor for MSI Nigeria.

For many participants, this shift in perspective was the most valuable takeaway.

Moving forward

The Kano field trip was more than just a reporting excursion; it was a reminder of the transformative power of Solutions Journalism. By focusing on responses to pressing health challenges, journalists can inspire action, strengthen accountability, and build public trust in the media.

At Nigeria Health Watch, we remain committed to supporting journalists with training, mentorship, and opportunities like this field trip. As the participating journalists return to their newsrooms, they carry with them new skills, new perspectives, and new story leads that can reshape how SRHR and family planning are reported in Nigeria.

Solutions Journalism is about asking different questions, telling deeper stories, and shining a light on what works even in the most challenging contexts. From the voices of adolescent girls to the resilience of PPMVs, to the leadership of traditional rulers, the Kano trip has shown that solutions are everywhere if only we are willing to look for them.

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