Stakeholders have called for stronger political commitment, increased domestic funding to bridge gaps in the implementation of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Nigeria.
They made the call on Thursday at a national policy dialogue themed, “Closing reproductive health impact gaps – Strategic approaches for equity and access convened by the Nigeria Health Watch in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of NHW, Mrs Vivienne Ihekweazu, said the country’s underinvestment in family planning was affecting the health and economic empowerment of women.
“We’ve seen a 97 per cent drop in budgetary allocation to sexual and reproductive health in the last year.
“The modern contraceptive prevalence rate remains around 15 per cent, with an unmet need of about 20 per cent,” she stated.
She added that the resulting lack of access to essential commodities was fuelling unplanned pregnancies and limiting women’s ability to exercise bodily autonomy and contribute meaningfully to the economy.
“Health is an investment. Without access to health and education, we cannot build the human capital needed to grow our economy,” Ihekweazu added.
While urging sub-national governments to take greater responsibility for SRHR financing, she emphasized that addressing the reproductive health impact gaps required confronting the funding crisis head-on.
“Without resources, policies remain promises. Without commodities, services become empty and without accountability, the most vulnerable, young people, rural women, those already left behind will bear the heaviest cost,” she noted.
The Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwatomi Coker shared how the state had been bridging funding gaps by leveraging domestic resources and donor support to sustain family planning programmes.
“Ogun State has established a dedicated budget line for family planning, integrated it into our annual operational plan, and leveraged the Basic Health Care Provision Fund,” Coker said.
She highlighted that the state also mobilised funding through its Drug Management Agency and local governments, while exploring private sector engagement and philanthropic support to expand the family planning basket.
She added that capacity-building efforts had improved forecasting, accountability, and public fund management, while community engagement was enhancing demand generation.
“By 2023 and 2024, we were able to procure commodities in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and we plan to do more this year,” she said.
Coker, however, noted persistent challenges, including limited political will, competing priorities, and a historical lack of transparency in health financing.
“Health is often seen as a liability rather than an asset. We are working to change that narrative and align our strategies with the FP2030 goals. The trajectory is right, but more work is needed,” she added.
On education, the Assistant Director, Education for Health and Wellbeing, Federal Ministry of Education, Ghali Talle said the Family Life and HIV Education curriculum had been instrumental in equipping students with life skills and health knowledge.
He said the ministry was strengthening links between schools and health services to ensure young people had access to accurate information, care, and protection.
“FLHE builds students’ self-esteem and informs them about the consequences of risky behaviour. It is also examinable, so it builds knowledge and adds value for employability,” Talle said.
He added that peer-led sessions and assembly talks were being used to reinforce health messages in schools, with support from civil society and development partners.
Talle said that in 2023, the Ministries of Health and Social Welfare and Education committed to a joint framework for youth wellbeing, linking school-based education with health services, psychosocial support, and hygiene interventions.
