On October 28th and 29th, 2024, the Society for Family Health (SFH), through its Catalytic Opportunity Fund (COF) Hormonal IUD Scale-Up Project, hosted a two-day capacity-building workshop at the Sheraton Hotel, Lagos. The event brought together key personnel from several SFH programs, including ePharma4FP, IntegratE, SHINE, Lafia Yara, Breakthrough Partnership, PACS, and COF, reflecting SFH’s collaborative approach to strengthening family planning initiatives and building capacity of personnel. The workshop provided a platform for participants to sharpen essential skills in scientific writing, data management and public health research processes. The sessions were designed to empower attendees to translate complex project data into impactful research that can shape public health policies.

The event opened with introductory activities, setting a collaborative tone for the gathering between various project teams. Participants shared reflections and expectations during welcome remarks by the COF Program Coordinator, Dr. Eze Ezechukwu Nwokoma, followed by a presentation on the Capacity building objectives by the M&E Officer.

The workshop’s main session was a scientific manuscript writing session facilitated by the Research Coordinator SHINE Project, Emmanuel Ekerette, where attendees explored practical strategies for structuring research publications. Ekerette also introduced tools like Mendeley reference manager, which simplify citation processes and enhance academic rigor. In the breakout sessions, participants worked in small groups to draft preliminary sections of research papers, focusing on topics aligned with their ongoing projects. These interactive sessions provided hands-on learning opportunities and fostered collaboration between team members from different SFH programs.

A critical highlight was the address by Dr. Eze Ezechukwu Nwokoma, who underscored the importance of transforming program data into publishable research. His remarks emphasized that sharing research insights not only advances scientific knowledge but also solidifies SFH’s role as a thought leader in family planning and public health.

The event wrapped up with a group presentation of insights from the breakout sessions, followed by a Q&A session that encouraged participants to reflect on lessons learned. The ePharma4FP MEAL Lead Chinedu Okoye expressed gratitude during the vote of thanks, recognizing the effort of facilitators and participants in their contribution to the workshop’s success. The COF Program Coordinator gave the final closing remarks, reaffirming SFH’s commitment to continuous learning and capacity building within its programs. Through this workshop, SFH equipped participants with the tools needed to communicate research findings effectively and strengthen program outcomes. The event exemplified SFH’s dedication to fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and ensuring that its interventions leave a lasting impact on family planning and public health across Nigeria.