Reproductive health experts have identified high fertility rates and low family planning uptake as critical factors contributing to poor maternal and child health outcomes in Nigeria, as well as rapid population growth.
The experts made this known on Wednesday at the eighth Nigeria Family Planning Conference 2024 in Abuja. The event, themed “Sustaining commitments for family planning within the Nigeria health sector renewal investment initiative, advancing progress towards achieving FP2030 goals,” was organised by the Association for the Advancement of Family Planning (AAFP) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
In his opening remarks, Chairman of the Management Committee, AAFP, and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the conference, Dr Ejike Oji, emphasised the significance of the conference. He noted that the initiative coincides with the efforts of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Muhammad Pate, in promoting a sector-wide approach agenda aimed at streamlining health programmes, enhancing accountability, and achieving transformative results.
Dr Oji said, “Let us embrace this opportunity to align efforts, inspire innovation, and renew our commitments to family planning as a key driver of sustainable development in Nigeria. Family planning is far more than a health intervention. it is a transformative tool that empowers individuals, strengthens families, and accelerates national development.”
Highlighting its importance, he noted that family planning reduces maternal and infant mortality and promotes gender equity. “The evidence is clear: $1 invested in contraceptive services saves $3 in maternal and newborn health costs by reducing unintended pregnancies. These savings unlock critical investments in education, infrastructure, and healthcare, fostering conditions needed to achieve Nigeria’s demographic dividend.”
Despite progress, Oji noted that challenges persist. He said Nigeria’s Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) has only marginally increased from 12 per cent to 15 per cent, while unmet needs remain high at 21 per cent. “High fertility rates and low family planning uptake contribute to poor maternal and child health outcomes and exacerbate rapid population growth. These challenges demand renewed urgency, innovation, and collaboration to achieve the FP2030 targets.”
He also commended the Nigerian government’s increased commitment to family planning, citing the release of $4 million as counterpart funding, the setting aside of one per cent of the health budget for family planning, and the launch of initiatives such as the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation programme.
Speaking on progress towards FP2030 goals, Dr Funmilola OlaOlorun, co-principal investigator for Performance Monitoring for Action/Nigeria and Co-Chair of the Scientific Subcommittee for the International Conference on Family Planning, stressed the need for a two per cent annual increase in CPR. She said, “We cannot do business as usual. With business as usual, it will take us five years to achieve a two percentage point increase. But with strict adherence to our blueprint, collaboration, and adequate funding, I believe we can meet and even surpass the FP2030 goals.”
Director of the Reproductive Health Department at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Samuel Oyeniyi, echoed similar sentiments, noting that while Nigeria is on track to meet FP2030 targets, progress has been slow. “We need to integrate more and put more effort into achieving our goals. With what we are doing now, and with increased commitment, we are poised to meet the target,” he said.
