The 8th Nigeria Family Planning Conference (NFPC), held from December 2–6, 2024, in Abuja, marked a significant milestone in advancing reproductive health in Nigeria, securing a $4 million private sector commitment to support family planning programs until 2030.
Themed “Sustaining Commitments for Family Planning within the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative: Advancing the Progress toward Achieving FP2030 Goals,” the conference brought together government officials, international partners, religious leaders, and youth representatives to address critical challenges in achieving Nigeria’s Family Planning 2030 (FP2030) targets.
In a communique signed by Dr. Ejike Oji, stakeholders highlighted key issues hindering progress, including irregular census data, funding shortages, cultural resistance to contraceptive use, and insufficient male involvement in family planning advocacy.
Government and Private Sector Commitment
Opening the conference on behalf of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, the Permanent Secretary, Ms. Daju Kachollom Shangti, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening family planning initiatives.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, CON, emphasized the economic benefits of family planning, stating that savings from such initiatives could be redirected to infrastructure, education, and healthcare development.
Keynote addresses were delivered by Mr. Muhammed Fall, representing United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, GCON, and Dr. Samukeliso Dube, Executive Director of FP2030, who stressed the importance of sustainable investments and data-driven policies.
Challenges Identified
Participants noted several barriers to achieving FP2030 goals:
- Irregular Demographic Data: Poor census systems hinder accurate planning.
- Funding Gaps: Insufficient resources for research and contraceptive supply chains.
- Cultural Resistance: Myths and religious opposition to modern contraceptives.
- Limited Male Involvement: Men’s roles as decision-makers often exclude them from advocacy efforts.
- Policy Weaknesses: Lack of integration of family planning into broader health strategies.
Resolutions and Action Plans
To address these challenges, stakeholders resolved to:
- Engage faith-based and traditional leaders in promoting family planning.
- Advocate for dedicated budget lines for family planning at all government levels, with timely fund disbursement.
- Strengthen health facilities with trained personnel and improved access to contraceptive services, especially in rural areas.
- Integrate family planning education into school curricula at all levels.
- Expand youth-focused sexual and reproductive health education, given the average age of sexual debut in Nigeria is 15 years, according to the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS).
- Foster interfaith collaborations to break religious and cultural barriers to contraceptive use.
Key Outcomes
- A $4 million private sector pledge to fund family planning programs until 2030.
- National Assembly’s promise to push for dedicated legislation on family planning funding.
- Recognition of the urgent need for inclusive, data-driven policy reforms to address demographic challenges.
The conference also recorded significant participation, with 1,297 onsite attendees and approximately 4,000 online participants, underscoring its impact as a landmark event for reproductive health in Nigeria.
Call to Action
Participants emphasized the need for government agencies, NGOs, youth organizations, and civil society to act on these resolutions by 2027 to ensure equitable and sustainable family planning services nationwide.
The Association for the Advancement of Family Planning (AAFP), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, pledged to track progress and engage policymakers to ensure the implementation of these commitments.
As Nigeria strives to meet FP2030 targets, the conference highlighted the importance of political will, strategic investments, and community-driven initiatives in making family planning accessible to all citizens.
