SBHAN "Spina bifida and Hydrocephalus Association In Nigeria"

06/07/2026

Thank you Aproko Doctor for lending your voice on the need for folic acid before the onset of pregnancy. Neural tube defects like Spina Bifida are life long without a cure. If a small tablet can prevent its occurrence in pregnancy, taking it daily should be a lifestyle. Let's spread the word. 📢

06/07/2026

Accessibility is a right for persons living with disabilities and it must be a deliberate effort in construction of buildings across Lagos. Many thanks Festus Fajemilo Foundation - FFF for this advocacy effort.

30/06/2026

Through meaningful advocacy, accessibility can be recognised as a right for persons with disabilities. Many thanks Festus Fajemilo Foundation - FFF for this inspiring project.

21/06/2026

Many thanks to Festus Fajemilo Foundation - FFF for continuing to bring together parents and caregivers of our amazing SBH warriors to share and learn from their journeys.

21/06/2026

We celebrate every father who has stood by their child living with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (SBH).

Your love, sacrifice and care has made a whole lot of difference in their lives, and for this we appreciate you greatly.

We see your efforts and send our best wishes to you all.

Happy Father's Day!

15/06/2026

400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid daily is an inexpensive routine a woman within childbearing age should adopt, not just for her health but for the health of the baby when pregnancy sets in.

Don't make folic acid intake only a routine during pregnancy. Make it a habit and lifestyle even when pregnancy is not a consideration.

Neural tube defects like Spina Bifida can develop when a woman is not aware of her pregnancy. Let's commit to spreading awareness by encouraging folic acid intake. That way, the occurrence of Spina Bifida, which requires life long care, reduces.

DAY 30 OF OUR CAMPAIGN

Did you know?

Folic acid is a B vitamin that helps your body make new cells, including blood, skin, hair, and brain cells.

It is especially important before and during early pregnancy because it helps a baby's brain and spine develop properly.

Without enough folic acid, the risk of serious birth defects such as spina bifida can increase.

What many people don't realize is that these birth defects can develop within the first few weeks of pregnancy, often before a woman even knows she is pregnant.

That is why health experts recommend that all women of reproductive age take 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day, whether they are planning a pregnancy or not.

A small daily habit can make a big difference.

Get informed. Go folic before pregnancy.

🌐 www.fesfaj-foundation.org
📩 [email protected]



Federal Ministry of Health Nigeria
National Primary Health Care Development Agency
International Federation for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus
Society for Family Health, Nigeria
International Continence Society (ICS)
Department of Health and Social Care - DHSC
THET (Tropical Health and Education Trust)
SBHAN "Spina bifida and Hydrocephalus Association In Nigeria"
Ducit Blue Solutions
Aguda Oluwakemisola
Kate Steele
Kate Henshaw
Hassan O Funmilayo
Afolabi Fajemilo
@

14/06/2026

Folic acid is a very small but yet effective tablet in reducing the occurrence of neural tube defects in pregnancy. It is accessible and affordable. Daily intake before pregnancy changes the life of the mother and the baby for good. Let's make folic acid part of our lifestyle.

DAY 29 OF OUR CAMPAIGN

Can one small tablet really help prevent a lifelong condition?

Yes. Folic acid can.

Every year, babies are born with preventable neural tube defects such as spina bifida, which can affect mobility, independence, and quality of life for a lifetime.

What makes this even more concerning is that the damage occurs very early in pregnancy, often before a woman knows she is pregnant.

Folic acid, a simple B vitamin, plays a critical role in the development of a baby's brain and spine during those first crucial weeks.

Without enough folic acid, the neural tube may not close properly, increasing the risk of serious birth defects.

This is why health experts around the world recommend that women take folic acid before pregnancy and continue during early pregnancy.

The evidence is clear: consistent folic acid intake can significantly reduce the risk of neural tube defects.

The tragedy is not that we don't have a solution.

The tragedy is that too many women are still unaware of it.

A small tablet. A simple daily habit. A powerful opportunity to protect a child's future.

Get informed. Go folic before pregnancy.

🌐 www.fesfaj-foundation.org
📩 [email protected]


Federal Ministry of Health Nigeria
National Primary Health Care Development Agency
International Federation for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus
International Continence Society (ICS)
SBHAN "Spina bifida and Hydrocephalus Association In Nigeria"
Child-Help International
Society for Family Health, Nigeria
Ducit Blue Solutions
Department of Health and Social Care - DHSC
THET (Tropical Health and Education Trust)
The Leprosy Mission Nigeria
Aguda Oluwakemisola
Kate Steele
Kate Henshaw
Hassan O Funmilayo
Afolabi Fajemilo

13/06/2026

As a woman, don't wait until you are pregnant before taking folic acid. Make it part of your daily routine even when pregnancy is not considered. Let's help reduce the occurrence of neural tube defects during pregnancy. Spread the word. 📢

DAY 28 OF OUR CAMPAIGN

Many pregnancies happen unexpectedly. That's a reality for many women.

But an unplanned pregnancy doesn't have to mean being unprepared.

Conditions like spina bifida develop very early in pregnancy, often before a woman knows she is pregnant. That's why waiting until you're actively planning for a baby may be too late to get the full protective benefits of folic acid.

Health experts recommend that all women of reproductive age take folic acid regularly.

Why? Because any woman who can become pregnant could benefit from having adequate folic acid levels before pregnancy occurs.

This isn't about fear or assuming everyone is planning a pregnancy.

It's about being informed and prepared.

Taking folic acid every day is a simple, affordable habit that can help support healthy early development when pregnancy happens whether planned or unplanned.

Because when it comes to prevention, preparation matters.

🌐 www.fesfaj-foundation.org
📩 [email protected]


Federal Ministry of Health Nigeria
National Primary Health Care Development Agency
International Continence Society (ICS)
Society for Family Health, Nigeria
International Federation for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus
SBHAN "Spina bifida and Hydrocephalus Association In Nigeria"
Spina Bifida Association
SBH Foundation-Ghana
Ducit Blue Solutions
Department of Health and Social Care - DHSC
THET (Tropical Health and Education Trust)
Aguda Oluwakemisola
Hassan O Funmilayo
Kate Steele
Kate Henshaw

12/06/2026

Every June 12 is marked as Democracy Day in Nigeria. While it is a time to celebrate the continuous status of the country under the guidance of democratic principles, it is a time to reflect on a status of persons living with disabilities in Nigeria.

The Nigerian constitution protects the rights of all its citizens while the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 protects the rights of PWDs, including those living with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (SBH).

There might be provision for persons living with SBH based in the above written laws, but the implementation and adherence to them is far from desirable.

Persons with SBH still face discrimination, stigma, neglect, ridicule and shame because of their disability. There are also not enough resources for the multidisciplinary care that is needed to cater for their needs in hospitals, schools and other public places.

All of us at SBHAN "Spina bifida and Hydrocephalus Association In Nigeria" are using the occasion of this year's Democracy Day to call for better conditions for persons living with SBH as contained in all laws that protects rights of PWDs in Nigeria at both federal and state level.

We also use this occasion to extend our thoughts to every person currently held in captivity and pray for their safe release and return to their communities. 🙏