Nigeria’s Commitment to Boost Family Planning Coverage: Key Takeaways from the Recent Stakeholders’ Meeting
Prof. Muhammad Pate, Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, has reaffirmed the government’s dedication to raising the Modern Contraceptives Prevalence Rate (MCPR) to achieve the Family Planning 2030 (FP2030) goal of 27 percent. This commitment was highlighted at a one-day Family Planning Stakeholders’ Accountability Meeting hosted by the Association for the Advancement of Family Planning (AAFP) in Abuja.
Represented by Dr. Binyerem Ukaire, Director of Family Health at the Federal Ministry of Health, Prof. Pate emphasized that this meeting was part of the FP2030 Accountability Framework piloting project in Nigeria. He underscored the importance of family planning in reaching Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and reducing maternal and child mortality rates. The focus remains on ensuring that women of reproductive age have access to family planning products and services.
Dr. Ejike Oji, Chair of the AAFP Management Committee and FP2030 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Focal Person, pointed out that despite ongoing efforts, Nigeria’s contraceptive prevalence rate remains at a concerning 12 percent, with unmet needs at 19 percent. He highlighted that low utilization of family planning services has negatively impacted maternal and child health, as reflected in the current maternal mortality ratio of 512 per 100,000 live births.
Oji called for a unified approach to prioritizing family planning funding and legislative support to meet the FP2030 targets.
Koessan Kwawu, Deputy Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), emphasized the fund’s role in enhancing access to family planning services, addressing preventable maternal deaths, gender-based violence, and harmful practices. He stressed that accountability and advocacy are essential components of the FP2030 agenda, urging all stakeholders to actively contribute to implementing strategies and ensuring transparency in national commitments.
Mrs. Geraldine Ita Etuk, Acting National President of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), highlighted the crucial need for accessibility and affordability in family planning. Represented by Dr. Sarah Ogah-Aduwarim, she called on the government and stakeholders to make family planning commodities widely available and affordable, particularly in rural and underserved areas. She asserted that every woman deserves the right to make informed choices about her reproductive health without facing access or financial barriers.
This meeting underscored the collective responsibility required to advance family planning efforts and meet Nigeria’s FP2030 commitments effectively.
