Amaechi antenatal payment of N10,000 to pregnant women in Rivers State was aimed at cutting maternal mortality, the ADC running mate has revealed
Rotimi Amaechi, the African Democratic Congress presidential running mate, has revealed that he paid pregnant women N10,000 each for attending antenatal care during his time as governor of Rivers State.
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Amaechi made the disclosure on Tuesday while speaking at the Her Health, Her Power Conference Africa 2026 in Abuja.
He said the payments formed part of wider efforts to improve maternal and child health after Rivers State was ranked second on the maternal-child mortality index.
Amaechi served as governor from 26 October 2007 to 29 May 2015, completing two terms after a Supreme Court ruling confirmed his election.
Reflecting on that period, he stressed the close link between women’s health and economic conditions.
“On the issue of health, you certainly cannot make the female look healthier and stronger if the economy is bad,” he said.
He noted that around 40 per cent of women in Nigeria work as farmers and called on politicians to do more to support their wellbeing.
Education, he added, was equally important because educated women make better leaders.
In Rivers State, Amaechi said his administration established health centres in every village and employed two doctors and nurses at each facility.
Pregnant women who attended antenatal clinics received N10,000, which he described as both a health incentive and an economic boost.
“Our health centres were full every Friday because they were sure of going home with N10,000,” he recalled. “They are not coming there for their health but for the money and that N10,000 is economy. It’s key that we can’t separate the health of women from economic growth.”
Also read: ADC Chieftain Calls on Wike to Caution Kuje Chair
Amaechi’s comments come as he continues his role as the ADC’s vice-presidential candidate, using the platform to highlight past governance records on health and women’s welfare.
