Stakeholders have called for urgent, multi-sectoral investments in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) across Africa, warning that failure to act risks squandering the continent’s greatest resource—its youth.
The appeal was made on Thursday in Abuja at the National Policy Dialogue on Improving Adolescent Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services.
The event was organised by Nigeria Health Watch and its partners under the theme: “Closing Reproductive Health Impact Gaps – Strategic Approaches for Equity and Access.”
Despite ongoing national investments, adolescent reproductive health outcomes in Nigeria remain inconsistent, with contraceptive uptake among adolescents still low, according to findings shared at the dialogue.
Experts stressed the need for high-impact, evidence-based interventions, youth-led design, and alignment of funding priorities at both national and subnational levels.
Ms. Mashishi Mokgadi, Africa Access Lead at Organon, a global pharmaceutical firm, underscored how policy failures have continued to trap girls and women in cycles of poverty, early pregnancy, and lost economic opportunity.
She illustrated the issue with the fictional story of Lucy, a 15-year-old girl who becomes pregnant due to a lack of access to contraception, drops out of school, and is forced into marriage with a much older man.
“Lucy’s story is not just a personal tragedy—it’s an economic loss for the nation and continent,” Mokgadi said. “It touches every Sustainable Development Goal, from maternal health to education, decent work, gender equality, and economic growth.”
Mokgadi highlighted Organon’s commitment to preventing 120 million unintended pregnancies under the FP2030 initiative, having already achieved over 55 percent of that goal. She emphasized the importance of partnerships with governments, civil society, and the private sector to ensure sustainable financing and youth-centered solutions.
“Our continent has the world’s youngest population, and we must ensure they have access to comprehensive SRHR services. Every dollar invested saves more in healthcare, education, and productivity,” she added.
She urged African leaders to prioritise SRHR in public budgets, create dedicated family planning budget lines, and remove legal and policy barriers preventing young people from accessing care.
Dr. Fatima Bunza, Country Director at Tiko Nigeria, reaffirmed her organisation’s commitment to using data and community insights to develop impactful, culturally sensitive interventions.
“We don’t just deploy technology for the sake of it. We design around the real needs of adolescent girls—ensuring our solutions are safe, confidential, localised, and culturally relevant,” she said.
Bunza highlighted Tiko’s ecosystem model, which connects young users to verified healthcare providers, trained counsellors, and peer educators in real time, building trust and reducing stigma.
“Technology is only effective when users understand and trust it. That’s why Tiko invests in digital literacy and community engagement—especially for first-time smartphone users,” she added.
She also shared Tiko’s low-tech alternative: eco-cards—physical cards distributed by community mobilisers to connect girls without phones to essential SRHR services.
“Low-tech isn’t an afterthought. It’s a central part of our ecosystem,” she said.
Ms. Peace Umanah, Director of Communications at the International Youth Alliance for Family Planning (IYAFP), underscored the power of local storytelling in securing funding and shifting public attitudes.
“We must tell our own stories—real Nigerian stories that move funders and reach youth where they are,” Umanah said.
Ms. Margaret Bolaji, Youth Partnerships Officer for FP2030 in North, West, and Central Africa, showcased youth-led innovations such as HPV self-sampling kits and the “Lemon” STI kits, which allow girls to test privately and discreetly.
“With the Lemon kits available in major pharmacies, young people can simply ask for a ‘lemon’—no questions asked,” she said.
Bolaji noted that FP2030 supports youth-led accountability through mentorship, capacity building, and inclusion in co-creating solutions.
“We don’t just invite youth to the table—they bring their own seats. But we must also equip them to sit and lead,” she said.
Ms. Testimony Adeyemi, Marketing Lead at Healthtracka, introduced Lola AI—a WhatsApp-based conversational tool delivering friendly, confidential SRHR information to young Nigerians.
“Many girls are too shy or afraid to ask questions. Lola helps them access accurate information in a safe, judgment-free space,” she explained.
Adeyemi also highlighted the Banking on Women’s Health conference hosted by her organisation, which provides a data-driven platform for shaping SRHR policies.
“Our latest research confirms that shame, secrecy, and misinformation are still the top barriers for adolescent girls,” she said.
Participants at the dialogue agreed that bold, cross-sector collaboration—involving education, health, finance, and community development—is essential to advancing adolescent reproductive health in Nigeria and across Africa.
The overarching message: “Normalise youth access to reproductive health services through dignity, data, and design.”
