The Federal Government (FG) has reiterated its commitment to improving the health and well-being of Nigerian youths through coordinated interventions on mental health, nutrition, and sexual and reproductive health.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Izaq Salako, gave the assurance on Saturday at the University of Ibadan Research Foundation (UIRF) 2025 Stakeholders’ Forum.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the forum, themed “Strengthening Resilience in Adolescents’ and Youths’ Development in Africa”, was held at the Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan (UI), Ibadan.
Salako described the youth population as Nigeria’s greatest asset but warned that without strategic investments in their health, education, and empowerment, the country risked losing its demographic dividend.
He noted that substance abuse among youths was rising, with first-time use now as early as ages 12 to 14.
The minister added that depression and anxiety were leading causes of school dropout, risky behaviour, and loss of productivity valued at over ₦2.1 trillion annually.
In the area of nutrition, he revealed that 32 per cent of adolescents were stunted, 11 per cent wasted, and 15 per cent underweight.
He warned that malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and rising obesity levels among urban youths were creating a “double burden” of under- and overnutrition in the country.
Despite the challenges, Salako outlined several government interventions, including the National Mental Health Policy (2021–2025) and the School-Based Mental Health Programme.
He also mentioned the National Adolescent Health Policy (2022) and the National Suicide Prevention Initiative, which has handled more than 42,000 crisis calls since its inception.
According to Salako, over three million young Nigerians have accessed reproductive health care through the Adolescent and Youth-Friendly Health Services over the past two years.
Other initiatives, he said, include HPV vaccination for girls aged 9 to 14, sexuality education across 12 states, and Gender-Based Violence response programmes through Sexual Assault Referral Centres.
On nutrition, the minister cited the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, which currently reaches 10 million schoolchildren, and the Micronutrient Fortification Policy, benefiting about 80 million Nigerians through fortified food staples.
“We know what works. We have the evidence. We have begun implementation. Now we must scale, sustain, and strengthen.
“Every society is judged by how it treats its young people. They are both our present and our future,” he said.
Salako called for a “new paradigm of resilience”, emphasising that resilience goes beyond disease prevention to the active capacity to thrive despite adversity.
He urged research institutions to collaborate with the government to co-create youth-informed strategies, accelerate evidence-to-policy translation, and establish a National Adolescent Health Data System.
Earlier, the forum’s chairman, Prof. Babatunde Salako, a former Director-General (DG) of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, said that mental health, nutrition, and reproductive health form an inseparable triad of adolescent well-being.
“Poor nutrition affects brain development and emotional regulation; mental distress can compromise dietary choices and sexual health; and inadequate sexual and reproductive health services deepen cycles of poverty and stigma,” he said.
He urged participants to ensure the forum produced actionable outcomes, stressing the need for policy coherence, crisis-responsive systems, youth leadership, stronger data, and public–private partnerships.
“Resilience is built through holistic well-being. It flourishes in environments where young people feel safe, supported, and empowered physically, mentally, and socially.
“Let our discussions move from ideas to implementation; from dialogue to measurable impact,” said the former DG.
The Vice-Chancellor (VC), UI, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, underscored the institution’s position in creating a better future for youths.
Adebowale, represented by Prof. Juwon Arotiba, Deputy VC, Academics, stated that the institution would continue to be at the cutting edge of research on adolescent health and wellness.
Also, the Chairman, University of Ibadan Research Foundation, UI, Rt. Hon. Chevalier Itsueli, represented by Prof. Adenike Emeke, reaffirmed shared responsibility to nurture and protect young people’s resilience.
