Conditional cash transfer schemes in Nigeria: potential gains for maternal and child health service uptake in a national pilot programme.

Background: This paper describes use of a Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme to encourage use of critical MNCH services among rural women in Nigeria.

Methods: The CCT programme was first implemented as a pilot in 37 primary health care facilities (PHCs), in nine Nigerian states. The programme entitles women using these facilities up to N5,000 (approximately US$30) if they attend antenatal care (ANC), skilled delivery, and postnatal care.