Centre of Excellence for
Sickle Cell Disease Research
and Training University of
Abuja

Sickle Cell Disease Radio Awareness Campaign

SCSSN–Pfizer · May–September 2026

Sickle Cell Disease Radio Awareness Campaign

Encouraging newborn screening and clinical care follow-up through radio conversations across Nigeria.

Sickle Cell Support Society of Nigeria
Pfizer Specialties Ltd

Explore the campaign ↓
Radio discussion at Inspiration FM, Uyo
6Geopolitical zones
21Radio stations
458Radio spots
52Live programmes

Campaign overview

Bringing the conversation closer to families

The Sickle Cell Disease Radio Awareness Raising and Sensitisation Campaign ran from May to September 2026 in selected cities across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Its objectives were to improve awareness, encourage families to participate in newborn screening, and support follow-up clinical care for babies who test positive.

The campaign combined radio jingles, interactive phone-in programmes and training for presenters and guest experts. Stations were selected to reach different audiences, with prime-time general-interest programmes used alongside health programming.

Messages were translated into Pidgin English, Hausa, Igbo, Kanuri and Yoruba to support local engagement. Point-of-care test kits were distributed through zonal coordinators to encourage participation.

Campaign results

Broadcast activity exceeded the original targets

21 / 12 planned

Radio stations

9 more stations than planned
458 / 360 planned

Radio spots

98 more spots than planned
52 / 18 planned

Live programmes

34 more programmes than planned
Broadcast activity by geopolitical zone
ZoneRadio stationsRadio spotsLive programmes
South South31009
North East2936
North West4637
South West3609
South East56010
North Central48211
Total2145852

These figures describe broadcast activity. The summary reports qualitative feedback; it does not provide measured changes in screening uptake or clinical follow-up.

Training and delivery

Equipping broadcasters to communicate with confidence

A shared FAQ sheet supported consistent messaging on SCD care and newborn screening. Three training sessions brought together radio presenters, programme guests, medical experts, zonal coordinators, the CESRTA team and people living with SCD.

21 May 2026

39 trainees

15 radio stations

7 resource persons, including 3 SCSSN zonal coordinators.
1 June 2026

42 trainees

19 radio stations

2 resource persons supported the session.
13 August 2026

23 trainees

14 radio stations

3 SCSSN coordinators, the CESRTA team and 3 SCD warriors contributed.

Attendance is reported by session; the same participants may have attended more than one session.

Across Nigeria

Regional coverage and programme recordings

Explore the participating outlets and recordings supplied with the campaign summary. Programme dates are in 2026.

South South 3 participating outlets

Inspiration FM, Uyo · Uyo

Programme dates: 28 May ; 15 Jun; 10 Jul ; 4 Sep ; 11 Sep

Comfort FM, Uyo · Uyo

Programme dates: 19 Jun

HIT FM · Calabar

Programme dates: 18 Jun ; 15 Jul ; 29 Jul

North East 2 participating outlets

Peace FM, · Maiduguri

Programme dates: 9 Jun; 13 Jun ; 15 Jun; 17 Jun; 15 Jul

Usaku FM · Yola

Programme dates: 13 Jul

North West 4 participating outlets

Nagari FM, Kebbi · Kebbi

Programme dates: 18 Jun

Nagarta Radio · Kaduna

Programme dates: 17Jun (Hausa); 22 Jul

ABU Radio · Zaria

Programme dates: 11 Jun

Queen FM · Zaria

Programme dates: 10Jun (Hausa); 19 Jun; 21 Jul

South West 3 participating outlets

Crown FM, Ife · Ife

Programme dates: 19 Jun; 3 Sep; 10 Sep

Diamond Radio, Ilesha · Ilesha

Programme dates: 11 Jul ; 31 Jul

Radio Lagos · Lagos

Programme dates: 23 Jul; 30 Jul; 06 Aug; 13 Aug

South East 5 participating outlets

Sapienta FM · Onitsha

Programme dates: 19 Jun (Igbo)

Blaze FM · Ora Ifite

Programme dates: 19 Jun; 16 Jul

Ijele FM · Ora Ifite

Programme dates: 17Jul (Igbo)

Dream FM · Enugu

Programme dates: 18 Jun; 23 Jul; 30 Jul; 1 Sep; 8 Sep

Authority FM · Nnewi

Programme dates: 21 Jun

North Central 5 participating outlets

Kapital FM (FRCN) · Abuja

Programme dates: 20 Jul; 22 Jul ; 28 Jul; 31Aug (rec); 7Aug (rec); 14Aug(rec)

Kids FM · Abuja

Programme dates: 21 Jul

Municipal FM · Abuja

Programme dates: 15 Jul

Global TV · Abuja

Programme dates: 23 Aug

PRTV, Jos · Jos

Programme dates: 3 Jun; 21 Jul

The broadcast log also includes Global TV in Abuja. Recording links open on Google Drive or YouTube; access is controlled by the recording owner.

Learning from the campaign

What listeners and broadcasters told us

Audience priorities

Feedback called for more discussion of prevention and management, family support and caregiving. Listeners wanted more local-language programmes and stories from people living with SCD.

Broadcaster lessons

Presenters highlighted the need for accurate, evidence-based information, simple and relatable language, and audience participation that helps shape future programmes.

Delivery challenges

Limited duration and funding constrained message saturation and assessment of behavioural change. Securing guests, responding to live-programme changes and translating medical information accurately also presented challenges.

Sustaining the work

The campaign expanded its guest pool and used some pre-recorded programmes to support delivery. Its recommendations are to continue investing in media training, use feedback to refine a full national campaign, and develop a way to sustain public education beyond the initial pilot funding.

Campaign documents

Read more about the campaign

Testimonials

In the broadcasters’ own words

Excerpts from the station feedback collected for the campaign. These accounts reflect the contributors’ experiences.

“Simple and relatable language makes health programs more effective.”

Musa Aliyu GombeProducer / Presenter · Nagarta Radio, Kaduna

“Behind every statistic is a person, a family and a lived experience.”

Ruth Fali MeduguRadio Nigeria Peace FM 102.5, Maiduguri

“The training has also helped me appreciate the responsibility of journalists and broadcasters in bridging the gap between researchers, healthcare professionals and the public.”

Inspiration FM, UyoStation training feedback

“One notable feedback was seeing people call in after the show had ended and contributing through messages after the show had ended.”

HIT 95.9 FM, CalabarStation programme feedback

“Overall, the training has strengthened both my knowledge and my approach to telling sickle cell stories in a more informed, sensitive and impactful way.”

Bilikisu AskiraPeace FM, Maiduguri

“Working with the survivors and health workers made it more relatable and real”

Uchechukwu Divine BosahBlaze FM, Orifite

“Some audience members shared personal experiences with sickle cell disease and expressed appreciation for the opportunity to discuss the condition openly without stigma.”

Akinwande Mark OgundeleInspiration FM, Uyo

“The programme was highly engaging and featured an appropriate guest with deep knowledge of Sickle cell, genotypes and blood groups.”

Rhoda Ohunene AjonyeKapital FM, Abuja

“His contribution gave listeners a better understanding of the condition and the importance of making informed decisions before marriage.”

Oluwaseyi AkinsolaCrown FM, Ife
Download the full testimonials ↓
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Sickle Cell Disease Research
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Abuja
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