For Mary Agba, a 400-level student at the Federal University of Health Sciences, Benue State, family planning transcends public health campaigns—it is a reality shaped by personal experience. Growing up in a household with seven children, Mary witnessed the challenges her parents faced in meeting the needs of their large family.
“I first learned about family planning at a youth conference,” Mary recalled. “When I asked my mom why she had so many children, she simply said, ‘Children are blessings from God.’”
Her mother, like many Nigerians, believed that having many children was a sign of prosperity. However, the reality proved otherwise. Both parents worked relentlessly—her mother managing a fish farm and her retired father running a chicken farm—just to keep the family afloat.
“Raising children in today’s world is really difficult,” Mary said. “We’re all in school, and the financial burden on my parents is enormous. My mom works overtime, and my dad still works despite being retired. It’s not easy.”
Mary also pointed to the growing number of street children in areas like Maraba and Keffi, attributing their plight to unplanned births and financial instability.
“People think family planning is about stopping childbirth entirely, but it’s not,” Mary explained. “It’s about having the number of children you can provide for, educate, and prepare for a brighter future.”
Her grandmother, reflecting a generational perspective, said that large families were essential for farming in the past. But Mary noted that times have changed.
“Today, raising children is about quality, not just quantity. It’s about giving them a good education, opportunities, and a better life,” she said.
Mary’s reflections resonate with the discussions at the 8th Nigeria Family Planning Conference in Abuja. Themed “Sustaining Commitments for Family Planning within the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative,” the event convened policymakers, religious leaders, and health experts to strategize on achieving universal access to reproductive health services by 2030.
For Mary, the essence of family planning is choice, not restriction. “It’s about ensuring every child born into a family has the opportunity to thrive,” she said.
She urged young people to embrace the concept, emphasizing its role in securing a better future. “It’s not just about reducing numbers; it’s about ensuring a better life for every child,” Mary concluded.
Her story highlights the importance of shifting perspectives on family planning, from limiting births to empowering families for sustainable development.
