At the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Summit 1.0 held in Abuja to mark the 2024 World Contraception Day, experts gathered to address Nigeria’s reproductive health challenges and urged the federal government to increase funding for reproductive health services. Organized by the Media Health and Rights Initiative of Nigeria, the summit, themed A Choice for All, Freedom to Plan, Power to Choose, brought together healthcare providers, policymakers, and civil society organizations.
Prof. Rosemary Ogu, the National President of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, led the call for more funding, free pregnancy care, and better access to contraceptives. She emphasized the importance of making reproductive healthcare more accessible, particularly for rural communities where barriers to family planning result in higher maternal mortality rates. Contraception reminds us that there’s a strategy to prevent women from dying, enable them to go to school, and help adults reach their full potential, she stated. Prof. Ogu stressed the need for functional primary health care centers and greater education to drive demand for these vital services.
Dr. Lucky Palmer, the Country Director of IPas Nigeria Health Foundation, echoed these sentiments, pushing for universal access to modern contraceptives. He highlighted the cultural and systemic barriers that prevent women, especially adolescents and those with disabilities, from accessing contraception. Contraception should be free and available to all, regardless of age, disability, or marital status, Palmer said, pointing out that over 1,500 maternal deaths annually in Nigeria could be prevented with proper access to effective contraceptives.
Palmer also called for expanded comprehensive reproductive health services, including safe abortion options, to prevent women from resorting to dangerous, unsafe practices due to Nigeria's restrictive abortion laws. To prevent unnecessary harm,we need comprehensive reproductive healthcare, including safe abortion options.We’re committed to ensuring a healthier future for Nigerian women and girls, he added.
Dr. Ufuoma Omo Obi, Board Chair of Media Health Right, highlighted the need for better access to healthcare for Nigerian youths and pregnant women. He stressed the importance of collaboration across sectors to ensure women can access contraception and take control of their reproductive health. Self administered contraception, especially injectable methods offering three months of coverage, has been transformative in Nigeria, Omo-Obi noted, citing its success in high need settings like IDP camps. He also urged for increased public awareness, community based services, and health worker training to support self care interventions.
Despite some progress in reducing maternal mortality, Dr. Ejike Orji, Chairman of the Association for the Advancement of Family Planning (AAFP), pointed out that Nigeria still has the highest maternal mortality rate globally. He emphasized the need for family planning to become a legislative priority, noting that previous funding for these efforts has heavily relied on donors.
Encouragingly, the current Minister of Health has released $4 million for family planning, supplemented by an additional $6 million from donors.
As Nigeria continues to battle reproductive health challenges, experts agree that government commitment, legislative action, and increased funding are essential to creating a healthier, more equitable future for all Nigerian women and girls.