Charting New Path For Adolescent, Youth Reproductive Health

Nigeria has renewed its commitment to securing the health and future of its young population, as government leaders, policymakers, civil society organisations, and development partners emphasised that the nation’s prosperity depends on the wellbeing and empowerment of its youth.

The stakeholders convened in Abuja for the National Policy Dialogue on the Future of Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health and Development (AYSRH&D), organised by the Society for Family Health (SFH).

Nigeria, where more than 60 per cent of the population is under 25, faces unique challenges and opportunities in shaping the future of its young people. Experts at the dialogue highlighted persistent barriers including limited access to healthcare, early marriages, gender inequality, drug abuse, and unsafe sexual practices, all of which threaten the health and productivity of the youth.

The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, said investing in adolescent health was not just a medical necessity but a critical pathway to human capital development and economic growth.

He said, “Adolescence and youth sexual and reproductive health is not just a health concern, it is a human capital development issue, a social justice matter, and a determinant of our nation’s economic future.”

Represented by the Director and Head of Department of Family Health at the ministry, Dr. Binyerem  Ukaire, Prof. Pate noted that despite existing frameworks such as the National Policy on the Health and Development of Adolescents and Young People, implementation remains uneven.

He urged stakeholders to shift focus from policies on paper to practical, high-impact interventions that can reach every community, school, and health facility.

The Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande,  underscored the importance of institutionalising youth health as a government priority.

Represented by Mr. Emmanuel Essien, the minister revealed that the ministry has already created a department dedicated to youth health, a move aimed at ensuring long-term policy attention.

“The truth is, if you don’t have healthy young people, you cannot have sustainable national development,” Essien said, noting that initiatives like the Yo! Health project are targeting six priority areas of adolescent health, including sexual and reproductive rights.

Data presented during the dialogue showed that while Nigeria has recorded some progress, such as a decline in fertility rates from 5.3 (2018) to 4.8 (2024), adolescent reproductive health outcomes remain worrying.

15 per cent of adolescent girls (15–19) have experienced pregnancy, with the highest burden in rural communities. HIV prevalence among youth stands at 5.2 per cent, higher than the national average, 1 in 5 young women report having contracted a sexually transmitted infection and modern contraceptive use among young people remains low, with cultural barriers and misinformation contributing to resistance.

The Managing Director,  Society for Family Health (SFH), Dr. Omokhudu Idogho, noted that these realities demand urgent action.

“Adolescent and youth health is no longer a peripheral issue; it is central to Nigeria’s development trajectory,” he said, stressing that mental health, education, skills, and social protection must also be addressed alongside sexual and reproductive health.

Represented by the Deputy Managing Director, SFH, Dr Jennifer Anyanti, the ED said modern contraceptive uptake among young people remains worryingly low, even as early marriage and early childbearing result in pregnancy related complications.

“It has been established that adolescent and young mothers (10-24) are at higher risk of maternal mortality and contribute significantly to the country’s high MMR rate.

“This ultimately limits life opportunities for young girls. Beyond physical health, the mental health burden on our young people is growing, pressures of unintended pregnancies, gender-based violence, and unemployment are leaving many with depression, anxiety, and diminished self-esteem,” he stressed.

Participants pointed to the Adolescents 360 (A360) Initiative, which has expanded youth-friendly health services across four states, training over 2,200 health providers and enabling more than 760,000 adolescent girls to adopt modern contraception, as proof that sustainable models exist.