Health experts are very worried about the Federal Government’s decision to cut the 2025 family planning budget by 97%. They warn that this move could lead to more unplanned pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and a rise in sexually transmitted infections across Nigeria.
The funding for family planning dropped sharply from ₦2.2 billion in 2024 to only ₦66.39 million for 2025. Experts say this is a big setback for women’s reproductive health, especially for those in poor and rural communities.
They explained that many women depend on free contraceptives from public health centres. With this budget cut, there might not be enough supply, making it harder for women to access family planning services.
The experts also said that, in a time when poverty and hunger are rising, cutting the budget could force vulnerable women into unsafe sexual practices, without access to protection or guidance.
In an interview with reporters, reproductive health specialists said the budget cut could harm Nigeria’s already weak progress in reducing maternal deaths.
They stressed that access to reproductive health is a basic human right and urged the government to reconsider the decision in order to protect public health and support
national growth.
Professor Chris Aimakhu, a specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Ibadan, said awareness about family planning is already low in Nigeria—even before the budget cut.
He said the reduced funding would affect the supply of free contraceptives to the people. This would especially hurt teenagers and young adults who are sexually active and need access to family planning.
“If these services are not available,” he said, “there will be more unwanted pregnancies and more cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, because barrier methods like condoms help prevent both.”
He warned that more pregnancies could lead to more women seeking unsafe abortions, which are dangerous. Complications can include severe bleeding, infertility, or even death—especially among young girls using cheap and unsafe methods.
Professor Aimakhu added that Nigeria already has one of the worst maternal death rates in the world, and this situation could get even worse. He also noted other problems, like more single mothers, children without support, and more pressure on society.
He said the issue goes beyond women’s health. Without access to contraceptives, Nigeria’s population could grow too fast, which will increase poverty and hardship.
“When families grow larger during an economic crisis, they struggle to feed their children, house them, or send them to school,” he said. “Jobs are already scarce, and education could suffer even more. If we’re not careful, more people will be fighting for fewer resources.”
Another expert, Consultant Gynaecologist Dr. Ayodele Ademola, said women have the right to free access to family planning services and contraceptives.
He said public health services like these must never be neglected because they help make life better and safer for citizens.
“As someone who advocates for women’s health,” he said, “I believe every woman should have access to services that protect their health, including family planning and contraception.”
He added that family planning is one of the best ways to prevent unwanted pregnancies, which are still very common in Nigeria. Since abortion is illegal in the country, it’s even more important to make sure women can prevent pregnancy safely.
“There’s no question—contraceptives must be provided,” he said. “They are necessary, widely recommended, and especially important in a complex society like ours.”
