Stakeholders at the just- concluded 8th Nigeria Family Planning Conference 2024 were in agreement that sustainable family planning policies and programmes is sure way to achieving socio-economic government by Nigeria.
The conference, which was attended by stakeholders from the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, international donor agencies and non-profit organisations held from Dec.2 to Dec.6 in Abuja.
It was organised by the Federal Ministry of Health and Association for the Advancement of Family Planning (AAFP), with more than 25 local and international organisations as sponsors.
The theme of the Conference is, “Sustaining Commitments for Family Planning Within the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative; Advancing Progress Towards Achieving FP2030 Goals.”
The stakeholders’ position was based on evidence from various speakers anchored on the philosophy that any society not akin to planning it’s activities is already planning to fall.
Mr Nasir Isa-Kwarra, the Chairman, National Population Commission (NPC) says that Nigeria is already at pivotal point on its demographic journey.
He said with a population of more than 200 million people, presently , the nation is projected to having more than 400 million population growth in a few years time.
Isa-Kwarra added that the only way out to escape the imminent danger associated with population explosion is to seriously embrace family planning now.
“There is urgent need for cultural sensitivity, men and women should be involved in family planning so as to erase the myth associated with this very important initiative.
“There is also the need for campaigns leveraging technology to advance the stride to meet FP 2023 goals,” he said.
Dr Ejike Oji, the chairman Local Organising Committee of conference urged Nigerians to see family planning beyond mere health intervention, but also as a transformative tool to empower individuals, strengthen families and accelerate national development.
According to Oji, who doubles as the Chairman, AAFP, an Abuja-based non-profit organisation, family planning saves lives, reduces maternal and infant mortality, promotes gender equality and advance socio-economic progress.
He said family planning programmes though making progress in Nigeria still faced some challenges.
He said the challenges include: disparity in access shape by regional educational and socio-economic differences which, according to him, had continued to deny millions of women and girls the autonomy to make decision about their reproductive health.
He said the global family planning movements, catalysed by initiatives like the 2012 London Summit of Family Planning and the FP2030 partnership, had galvanised action worldwide.
“While progress has been made, the unmet contraceptive needs and low contraceptive prevalence rate in Nigeria signal the need for intensified efforts.
“As we recalibrate our goals under FP2030, this conference serves as a rallying point to accelerate our shared commitment to universal access to family planning,” he said.
Oji, the former country director of Ipas, an international non-profit organisation, said that in spite of the milestone Nigeria’s contraceptive prevalence rate marginally increased to 15 per cent from 12 per cent, with unmet needs at 21 per cent.
He added that high fertility rate, coupled with low family planning uptake, had contributed to poor maternal and child health outcomes, thus exacerbating rapid population growth.
The challenges, he said, required renewed urgency, innovation and collaboration to achieve FP 2030.
Dr Funmilola Olaolorun, in a paper entitled: “Nigeria at the Centre Page–Progress so Far,” said that 10 years family planning indicator from Lagos and Kano states showed that modern method of using contraceptive had increased slowly.
Also, the managing director of FP2030, Dr Martin Migombano, who spoke on “Looking Ahead of FP2030,” said that Nigeria made commitments for advancement to FP2030, adding that the country had since moved eight points higher.
Migombano commended the country’s efforts and urged stakeholders to collaborate more to ensure achievement of FP 2030.
Without the legal frameworks, family planning efforts would remain a mirage and the National Assembly said it is ready to contribute its quota.
Deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, said the 10th National Assembly is committed to programmes and policies that will ensure increased uptake of Family Planning (FP) methods in the country.
Kalu said the House took the issues of family planning seriously when it was presented before it.
“When the proposal for the allocation of one per cent of health sector budget to family planning activities came before us we considered it as a worthwhile proposal.
“That explains why family planning got four million U.S. dollars in the 2024 budget, and we are ready to do more,” he said.
Ms Rodio Diallo, the Deputy Director, Gates Foundation, Abuja, said the foundation is committed to supporting Nigeria in its programmes to achieve FP2030.
Diallo said the country is on the right track to achieving the goals ahead of the FP2030 target.
Dr Salma Ibrahim-Anas, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Health, said the federal government prioritised the health needs of women and the girl-child.
She said, “This is the time to get family planning activities right; states and local governments must emulate the federal government.
“President Bola Tinubu has established the Presidential Value Chain to help harmonise efforts on family planning to avoid duplication of efforts.
“We are telling Nigerians to control the number of children they want to have, so they can take care of them.
“We, therefore, expect community and faith-based organisations to help government and extend the information to their people.”
Dr Abiggail Msemburi, Head of Liasion Office, UNFPA, Lagos office, said prioritising family planning programmes and activities would make Nigeria scale down the rate of maternal mortality rate, among other gains.
She said there was the need for the private sector and governments at state and local levels to provide more financial support for family planning activities.
Mesmburi said, “We believe the private sector has a lot to contribute toward driving the family planning crusade in the country, especially in the area of innovation and awareness.
“The private sector can partner government, especially at the local levels to tackle the problem of social norms, which is a big challenge in advancing family planning programmes.”
Dr Anne Adah-Ogoh, Director, Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria, said at first plenary session of second day of the Conference that there was need for active private sector involvement in advancing family planning activities. NAN
