By Robert Colquhoun, Director of International Campaigns, 40 Days for Life

“Good News!” reported Yusuf Ayuba, the 40 Days for Life campaign leader in Abuja, Nigeria. “One of the mothers who chose life for her baby during our previous campaign delivered a bouncing baby boy three weeks ago. She chatted with me this evening expressing her joy.”

Yusuf reported that 10 babies have been saved through his local campaign. Those successes are helping establish 40 Days for Life across Nigeria.

Yusuf is 30 years old and has been active in the pro-life movement for many years. But he has become bolder and more committed since joining 40 Days for Life and is grateful for being equipped and empowered with strategies that have produced positive results in his pro-life efforts.

One of his most dramatic victories took place when Yusuf began helping a university student facing pressure from her boyfriend to abort their nine-week-old baby. When she refused to abort, her boyfriend refused to pay his share of the rent. But Yusuf has encouraged the expectant mother and is making good on his promise to support her in her decision to keep the baby. He has raised most of the deficit and negotiated a payment extension with the woman’s the landlord. Yusuf trusts that God will send benefactors to settle the balance.

The journey of becoming a pro-Life leader has not been easy for Yusuf. His activism has ostracised him from certain friend groups—and his job. After leading his first 40 Days for Life campaign, Yusuf learned that the private health facility where he worked was involved in abortion. He approached management to discuss the evils of abortion and was ignored. Before long, he began facing opposition and difficulties at work in response to his decision to openly express his convictions about abortion.

Yusuf prayed and fasted for one week over the situation and made the decision to quit his job. He believed that he couldn't be a pro-life Christian while working in a facility that performs abortions, even though he was not involved in providing them himself. It was not an easy decision, given the hardship and lack of opportunities in Nigeria, and he felt ridiculed and embarrassed after quitting. But in spite of the personal cost of Yusuf’s stand, he felt he needed to take a bold step—one which is now bearing spiritual fruit.

Yusuf’s pro-life activism is exposing false dichotomies as he educates his community that abortion is not just a religious issue but also a human rights issue. Furthermore, he is clear that being pro-life is not jus