Abuja: Stakeholders have called for stronger political commitment and increased domestic funding to bridge critical gaps in the implementation of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in Nigeria. The call was made at a policy dialogue convened by Nigeria Health Watch in Abuja to highlight the health and economic consequences of inadequate investment in SRHR.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the dialogue, themed ‘Closing Reproductive Health Impact Gaps – Strategic Approaches for Equity and Access,’ aimed to generate actionable strategies for improving access and equity, particularly for women and girls. Mrs. Vivienne Ihekweazu, Managing Director of Nigeria Health Watch, emphasized that chronic underinvestment in family planning was impacting both the health and economic empowerment of Nigerian women, citing a 97 percent drop in budgetary allocation to sexual and reproductive health over the past year.
Ihekweazu pointed out that the modern contraceptive prevalence rate remains around 15 percent, with an unmet need of about 20 percent. She stressed that lack of access to essential commodities fuels unplanned pregnancies and limits women’s ability to exercise bodily autonomy and contribute meaningfully to the economy. She urged subnational governments to take greater ownership of SRHR financing to address the funding crisis effectively.
Dr. Oluwatomi Coker, Commissioner for Health in Ogun State, shared insights on how the state has worked to bridge funding gaps by leveraging domestic resources and donor support to sustain its family planning programs. Coker highlighted Ogun State’s strategies, including establishing a dedicated budget line for family planning, integrating it into the annual operational plan, and leveraging the Basic Health Care Provision Fund.
Despite the progress, Coker acknowledged ongoing challenges such as limited political will and competing priorities. She emphasized the need to change the narrative around health, viewing it as an asset rather than a liability, and aligning strategies with FP2030 goals.
Malam Ghali Talle, Assistant Director for Education for Health and Wellbeing at the Federal Ministry of Education, spoke on the role of education in advancing sexual and reproductive health. He highlighted the effectiveness of the Family Life and HIV Education curriculum in equipping students with essential life skills and health knowledge, reinforcing health messages through peer-led sessions and assembly talks.
Dr. Binyerem Ukaire, Director of the Department of Family Health at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, discussed the Federal Government’s efforts in mobilizing alternative financing streams to counter declining global support. She mentioned initiatives like the Disbursement Link Indicator-2 and the creation of a six-million-dollar family planning fund to ensure commodity availability.
Participants at the dialogue stressed the importance of sustained media engagement to drive public discourse and hold governments accountable. They highlighted the need for Nigeria to transition toward self-reliance to ensure the sustainability of SRHR interventions, while acknowledging the crucial role of donor support.
