The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, says sexual and reproductive health indices are critical for national development, economic growth, and improved human capital outcomes across Nigeria.

Mr Pate said this on Monday in Abuja during a two-day National Policy Dialogue on Adolescent and Youth Sexual Reproductive Health and Development (AYSRH&D), organised by the Society for Family Health (SFH).

The minister was represented by Binyerem Ukaire, director and head of the Department of Family Health, who conveyed his message to stakeholders attending the high-level national consultation and policy dialogue.

He described adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health as not merely a health concern but a human capital priority, a social justice issue, and a driver of Nigeria’s long-term economic future.

“When youth access accurate information, quality services, and supportive systems, they make informed decisions that influence their education, well-being, and economic participation,” he said while emphasising adolescent health as transformative.

“However, many adolescents face major obstacles, including harmful cultural practices, poor access to care, gender inequality, early marriage, unsafe sex, and drug abuse,” he added.

He also identified barriers hindering youth development and health.

“These problems threaten not only their health but also reduce their capacity to meaningfully contribute to their communities and the broader development agenda,” he added.

He said the federal government remained committed to strengthening reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health services through the Nigerian Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative under a sector-wide coordination approach.

The minister highlighted that policies such as the National Policy on Health and Development of Adolescents and Young People were in place to improve access, inclusivity, and equity in service delivery nationwide.

Omokhudu Idogho, managing director of SFH, represented by Deputy Managing Director Jennifer Anyanti, said Nigeria is experiencing demographic shifts with implications for adolescent health and youth-focused policy development.

He noted that the national fertility rate declined from 5.3 per cent in 2018 to 4.8 per cent in 2024, while youth health discussions now increasingly influence primary healthcare and national policy frameworks.

Mr Idogho said teenage pregnancy remained concerning at 15 per cent, with the highest incidences in rural and low-income communities, according to the 2023/2024 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) data.

“HIV prevalence among youth stands at 5.2 per cent, higher than the national average, while 17.2 per cent of young women reported having contracted a sexually transmitted infection(STI),” he added during his remarks.

“Uptake of modern contraceptives remains very low; early marriage and childbearing significantly contribute to maternal mortality and hinder economic and educational opportunities for girls across affected communities,” he further stated.

Mr Idogho emphasised the urgent need for a comprehensive, multisectoral approach to adolescent health that integrates education, life skills, mental health, and social protection within health and development frameworks.

He identified key reforms, including MAMII, the Yo! Health Initiative, AGILE, and expansion of health insurance as strategic opportunities to deliver adolescent-friendly services across all regions of Nigeria.

Citing lessons from SFH’s Adolescents 360 (A360) initiative, he said, “In four years, we reached 1,850 communities through 2,157 health centres in four states with youth-friendly reproductive health services.

“We trained 2,235 health workers and supported 764,568 adolescent girls to adopt modern contraceptives, half of whom are continuing users.”

Neido Kofulto, Commissioner for Women Affairs in Adamawa State, urged traditional and religious leaders to help demystify reproductive and menstrual health through open discussions to promote knowledge, prevention, and support systems.

(NAN)