A memo seeking a review of the age of consent for HIV testing was on Thursday stepped down at the 66th National Council on Health (NCH) meeting in Calabar.
Declaring the session open, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, urged the Council to pause consideration of the memo to allow for deeper consultation and sober reflection.
He said Nigeria must confront the realities of adolescent sexual behavior, underage marriage and the rising incidence of HIV among young people.
Pate noted that a significant number of adolescents aged 15 to 18 are already sexually active, as reflected in pregnancy rates, maternal mortality figures and the burden of new HIV infections.
“There is a cohort already living with HIV. Adolescents aged 15 to 18 are getting pregnant, they are getting married, and they are having sex,” he said.
He added that although the law currently places the age of consent at 18, the lived realities in many communities demand thoughtful consideration if Nigeria hopes to reduce HIV transmission.
“We do not have the resources to continue treating more people if new infections keep increasing. The buck stops with this Council,” he said.
“I would not want us to kick the can down the line. Let us step it down and revisit it at the end of deliberations. We must digest the implications, consult more and return with clearer minds.”
There was no objection from delegates, and the secretariat was directed to put the memo on hold.
During the session, delegates also raised concerns about the safety of imported food items and the need to ensure that such products meet Nigeria’s health and regulatory standards.
Responding, the minister said food regulatory authorities already have guidelines covering chemicals such as bromide in bread and other additives in the food system. He directed the secretariat to document the concerns, even as the Council adopted the memo on the National Guidelines for Chemical Events Surveillance in Nigeria and its Implementation Plan.
Pate noted that some states—particularly those with artisanal mining activities and industrial exposures—may raise further observations during implementation.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Ms. Kachallom Daju, underscored the importance of strong coordination across federal, state and local government levels to ensure that Council resolutions translate into measurable improvements in healthcare delivery.
She said the ministry remains committed to supporting states through clear guidelines, improved information systems and capacity-building initiatives needed to achieve Universal Health Coverage.
Several delegates presented updates on ongoing health reforms across their states. The host state, Cross River, highlighted its Primary Health Care-Based Palliative Programme targeting pregnant women, children under five and the elderly. The state also introduced six-month maternity leave, strengthened nutrition compliance and continued health facility revitalization efforts.
The Council is expected to continue deliberations on health financing, workforce development and disease surveillance. Other areas of discussion will include nutrition, reproductive health and the implementation of national health priorities, with final resolutions to be issued at the end of the meeting.
