Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) play a vital role in achieving various outcomesSustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those related to good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, and reduced inequalities.
In Nigeria, this sense of urgency is intensified by its young population, which constitutes approximately70%of the country's population. Nevertheless, availability of modern contraceptives and youth-oriented SRHR services is still limited despite the size of this group.
According to the 2023 Nigeria Population and Health Survey(NDHS), the current use of modern contraceptives (mCPR) among married women stands at 14%, while it is 3.3% among girls aged 15-19. Theunfulfilled demand for family planningis 15.8% for teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19 (covering both married individuals and those who are sexually active but not married), increasing to 21% for women between 20 and 24 years old, and reaching 22% for those aged 30 to 34.
At the latest Nigeria Health Watch policy discussion themed "Addressing Gaps in Reproductive Health Impact: Strategic Methods for Equity and Availabilitykey parties emphasized obstacles and presented approaches to enhance fair access to SRHR supplies and services within Nigeria's medical framework.
The financial aspects of family planning
As stated by Vivianne Ihekweazu, Managing Director of Nigeria Health Watch, SRHR goes beyond being a health concern; it is also an economic necessity. When girls and women have the ability to choose when, how many, and if they want children, the advantages reach well beyond their own households. Research backs this up;for every additional US$1focused on addressing the lack of access to modern contraception, leads to a reduction in health care expenses by US$3.
Universal SRHR access is essential to achieving Universal Health Coverage,she mentioned, highlighting that improved maternal health, increased school graduation rates, and a stronger economy all rely on this integration.
The swift increase in Nigeria's population, coupled with insufficient investment in SRHR and education, worsens poverty, limits women's capacity to make informed choices about their family size, and increases pressure on national finances. Young people still encountermultiple barriers, including limited awareness of contraceptive options, societal prejudice, insufficient availability of services tailored for young people, negative attitudes from medical professionals, and absence of privacy when accessing SRHR products and services.
Despite these difficulties, Nigeria's national family planning budget has experienced a decrease of97% of the ₦2.225 billion allocated in 2024 was reduced to ₦66.39 million in 2025. This lack of funding worsens shortages of essential supplies, limits services that are suitable for young people, and endangers the country's progress towards achieving its goals.FP2030 commitments.
It is crucial to change the discussion on SRHR from viewing it as an expense to acknowledging it as a factor that enhances economic stability and national productivity. Nevertheless, Dr. Binyerem Ukaire, Director of the Department of Family Health at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, pointed out the government's initiatives to address financial shortfalls and enhance family planning results in the nation.
She asserted that, "via the Presidential Initiative for Advancing the Healthcare Value Chain, the Medipool is allocating 6 million U.S. dollars to purchase family planning supplies and to maintain an effective logistics and supply management system for these items.
Homegrown innovation: examples worth expanding
Securing domestic funding for SRHR is essential to ensure long-term availability of key services. Fortunately, creative financial approaches are being implemented at the sub-national level in Nigeria.
Kano State has achieved notable advancements in enhancing access to family planning services by reserving a part of theKano State Health Trust Fund, which combines funds from all 44 local governments and internally generated income. According to Pharmacist Aminu Bashir, Permanent Secretary of the Kano State Ministry of Health, the state has established its first-everbudget linefor reproductive health planning, and set up athree-way financial collaboration with the Gates Foundation and other partners.
Ogun State gets only $0.04 per person in aid from donors, while Kano receives $1.07 per capita. Nevertheless, Dr Tomi Coker, the Health Commissioner of Ogun State, highlighted the state's dedication to financial self-sufficiency, stating,My approach is to utilize available resources to support necessities, and one aspect that often goes unnoticed, yet exists, is the Basic Health Care Provision Fund.
Although these and other comparable efforts exist, deep-rooted obstacles to obtaining SRHR products and services remain. Dr. Taiwo, Country Director of The Challenge Initiative (TCI) Nigeria, pointed out that having a budget allocation does not ensure that the money will be approved, distributed, or used efficiently. Throughout Nigeria, delays in purchasing and disjointed supply chains frequently lead to shortages, impacting healthcare facilities, and eroding the quality of services as well as public confidence. She emphasized that "We examine the logistics management information system and observe that certain states experience stockouts of family planning supplies ranging from 60 to 70%."
Ogun's approach to self-reliance does not disregard the importance of external collaborations, yet it highlights that through robust governance and efficient public financial management, countries can minimize their dependence on donor support and more effectively protect critical health services from political or economic fluctuations.
Enhancing availability of services tailored for young people
Enhancing access to youth-oriented sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services demands multi-layered, situation-based innovations. An example is theMachakos Youth Drop-in Centrein Kenya, offering a non-judgmental atmosphere and youth-oriented services designed to meet the specific needs and circumstances of young individuals.
Similarly, Healthtracka is utilizing subtle, self-administered kits known as "Lemon kitto assist young women in Nigeria in screening for STIs without facing stigma. In her words, Testimony Adeyemi, Marketing Lead at Healthtracka, saidBy collaborating with the biggest pharmacy chain, girls can obtain tests by requesting lemon — no inquiries necessary."
Broadening the scope of comprehensive sexuality education, encompassing both in-school and out-of-school environments, is essential to equip young individuals with reliable knowledge regarding their sexual and reproductive health and rights.
In Africa, one out of every five girlsbecomes pregnant before turning 19, howeverresearchdemonstrate that when young individuals have access to excellent education, they are more inclined to postpone sexual activity and opt for safer, well-informed decisions.
Mallam Ghali Dambazau, Assistant Director at the Ministry of Education, mentioned that the Ministry is collaborating with the Ministry of Health to provide thorough SRHR education. Although trained educators deliver classroom teaching using the Family Life and HIV Education program, health professionals also go to schools to provide services, reinforce lessons, and assist students with correct information.
Although Nigeria has implemented progressive policies and family planning commitments, such as incorporating family planning services into universal health coverage and increasing youth-friendly services, the actual situation presents a different picture. Margret Bolaji, Youth Partnership Manager at FP2030, stated that"We require ongoing training for providers, supportive oversight, and a change in perspective to professionally serve adolescents as clients.
Digital technologies also play a crucial role in increasing accessibility and maintaining privacy. Using online systems, it becomes feasible to extend coverage, deliver accurate information, and combat false narratives.
Dr. Fatima Bunza, National Director ofTiko Nigeria, highlighted the significance of integrating high-tech, low-tech, and no-tech approaches to engage various groups of young people. For example,physical Tiko cardsdelivered by community workers who have received training offer access to girls who do not own mobile phones, allowing them to register for and gain advantages from SRHR programs.
Ending the SRHR impact gaps in Nigeria
Due to decreasing donor assistance andNigeria's population is expected to almost double by 2050, prioritizing SRHR has become increasingly essential. Not taking action could worsen poverty, raise maternal and child death rates, and hinder countless young individuals from exercising their reproductive rights.
Nevertheless, by expanding successful methods like local funding models, collaborative multi-stakeholder alliances, and youth-led program development, Nigeria can attain substantial advancements and meet its FP2030 goals. This transition would take SRHR out of reliance on external support, establishing it as a key force for economic expansion and societal progress.
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