By Folasade Akpan

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.

With the theme “Closing Reproductive Health Impact Gaps – Strategic Approaches for Equity and Access,” the dialogue aimed to generate actionable strategies for improving access and equity, particularly for women and girls.

Mrs Vivienne Ihekweazu, Managing Director of Nigeria Health Watch, noted that chronic underinvestment in family planning was harming both the health and economic empowerment of Nigerian women.

“We’ve seen a 97 per cent drop in budgetary allocation to sexual and reproductive health in the past year.

“The modern contraceptive prevalence rate remains around 15 per cent, with an unmet need of about 20 per cent,” she said.

She stressed that the lack of access to essential commodities fueled unplanned pregnancies and limited women’s ability to exercise bodily autonomy and contribute meaningfully to the economy.

“Health is an investment. Without access to health and education, we cannot build the human capital needed to grow our economy,” Ihekweazu added.

While calling on subnational governments to take greater ownership of SRHR financing, she warned that the reproductive health impact gaps could only be addressed by directly tackling the funding crisis.

“Without resources, policies remain promises. Without commodities, services become empty. And without accountability, the most vulnerable, young people, rural women, those already left behind, will bear the heaviest cost,” she said.

Dr Oluwatomi Coker, Commissioner for Health in Ogun State, shared how the state had worked to bridge funding gaps by leveraging domestic resources and donor support to sustain its family planning programmes.

“Ogun State has established a dedicated budget line for family planning, integrated it into our annual operational plan, and leveraged the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF),” she explained.

Coker said additional funding was mobilised through the state’s Drug Management Agency and local governments, with further support from private sector partners and philanthropic contributors.

She also noted that capacity-building efforts had improved forecasting, accountability, and public fund management, while community engagement initiatives had boosted demand for services.

“By 2023 and 2024, we were able to procure commodities in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and we plan to do more this year,” she said.

In spite of progress, Coker acknowledged persistent challenges, including limited political will, competing priorities, and a historic lack of transparency in health financing.

“Health is often seen as a liability rather than an asset. We are working to change that narrative and align our strategies with the FP2030 goals. The trajectory is right, but more work is needed,” she stated.

Malam Ghali Talle, Assistant Director for Education for Health and Wellbeing at the Federal Ministry of Education, also spoke on the role of education in advancing sexual and reproductive health.

He stated that the Family Life and HIV Education (FLHE) curriculum had been instrumental in equipping students with essential life skills and health knowledge.

He noted efforts to strengthen links between schools and health services, ensuring that young people had access to accurate information, care, and protection.

“FLHE builds students’ self-esteem and informs them about the consequences of risky behaviour.

“It is also examinable, so it builds knowledge and enhances employability,” he said.

Talle highlighted the use of peer-led sessions and assembly talks, supported by civil society and development partners, to reinforce health messages in schools.

He also noted that in 2023, the Ministries of Health and Social Welfare and Education committed to a joint framework for youth wellbeing, connecting school-based education with health services, psychosocial support, and hygiene interventions.

Dr Binyerem Ukaire, Director of the Department of Family Health at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, said the Federal Government had mobilised alternative financing streams to counter declining global support.

“These include the Disbursement Link Indicator-2 initiative under the BHCPF and the creation of a six-million-dollar family planning fund through the Presidential VAC via MediPool to ensure commodity availability and prevent stockouts.”

Ukaire added that cultural barriers to family planning access were being addressed through advocacy, with a push for full implementation of existing health policies at the state level.

“Ongoing efforts include prioritising social and behaviour change, strengthening health promotion strategies, and improving service delivery to ensure no one is left behind,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that participants at the dialogue highlighted the need for sustained media engagement to drive public discourse and hold governments accountable.

They also stressed that while donor support remained crucial, Nigeria must transition toward self-reliance to ensure the sustainability of SRHR interventions.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru