Key stakeholders in Nigeria’s adolescent health sector have emphasized the need for stronger collaboration and partnerships to fully leverage the nation’s health policies for the benefit of its youth, ensuring a healthier and more prosperous future.
This call for action was made during the Stakeholders Forum on Adolescent and Youth Health Policy, which took place on Sunday as part of the 76th Founder’s Day celebrations at the University of Ibadan (UI).
The event, organized by the UI Research Foundation, brought together experts, policymakers, and advocates to discuss pressing health challenges facing Nigeria’s young population.
In his keynote address, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Prof. Adesegun Fatusi pointed out that a significant number of young Nigerians die from preventable causes, urging immediate action to address this crisis.
He stressed that investing in adolescent health is the best long-term investment any society can make.
“Adolescents are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are also shaping the present. By safeguarding their health today, we can prevent many of the diseases and conditions that manifest in adulthood,” Prof. Fatusi said.
“When we invest in the health and well-being of young people, we are investing in the future of our entire nation.”
Fatusi lamented the historical lack of attention to adolescent health but expressed hope that the situation was slowly improving. However, he stressed that much more needs to be done to reverse the trend.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Health and Chairman of the event, Prof. Akin Abayomi highlighted the urgency of addressing youth health issues, noting that half of Nigeria’s population is under the age of 20.
He pointed to the changing economic landscape, emphasizing the need for a healthy, educated youth population to drive the nation’s transition to a knowledge-based economy.
“We are moving beyond the era of mineral wealth into one driven by knowledge, artificial intelligence, and innovation,” said Abayomi.
“Our future depends on a healthy youth that can generate the knowledge and skills needed for the economy of tomorrow.”
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, also addressed the gathering, revealing that the UI Research Foundation had developed a platform designed to harness valuable scientific insights to guide policy decisions for improving adolescent health.
This platform aims to support decision-makers in both public and private sectors in crafting impactful, science-based strategies for youth health.
Prof. Adebowale, who was represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Administration, Prof. Peter Olapegba, stated that the university’s continued commitment to this cause would help foster evidence-based policies that benefit young people across the nation.
In his closing remarks, the Director of the UI Research Foundation, Prof. Ayoade Oduola, emphasized that the forum sought input from stakeholders to inform a collaborative “town-to-gown” initiative.
He added that this initiative aims to bridge the gap between academic research and policy implementation, working closely with local governments and ministries to improve health outcomes for Nigerian adolescents.
