Several states in Nigeria on Thursday showcased innovative financing models for family planning services, with a focus on sustainability and increased access.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the models were unveiled at the National Policy Dialogue on Improving Adolescent Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services.
The theme of the dialogue is “Improving Adolescent Access to Quality Sexual and Reproductive Health Services”, organized by Nigeria Health Watch and its partners.
The models showcased include co-financing strategies, public-private partnerships and leveraging existing state structures like the State Annual Operation Plan.
The dialogue brought together experts and stakeholders to explore practical, equity-focused strategies for strengthening SRHR outcomes in Nigeria.
At a high-level stakeholders’ forum, representatives from Kano State, Ogun, and the Challenge Initiative (TCI) shared their experiences and innovative financing mechanisms aimed at strengthening local health systems and improving family planning coverage.
Dr Binyerem Ukaire, the Director of Family Health, Coordinating Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, acknowledged Nigeria’s persistent funding gaps but emphasised that opportunities exist for federal support to subnational governments.
However, Ukaire urged states to “take the bull by the horns” by allocating specific budget lines for family planning in their annual plans.
Responding to this call, Malam Aminu Bashir, Permanent Secretary, Kano State, outlined how the state has developed one of the most robust financing mechanisms for family planning in the country.
Bashir highlighted the Common Health Trust Fund, which pools resources from all 44 local government areas and the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR).
A percentage of this fund is earmarked specifically for family planning services.”For the first time, Kano State also has a dedicated budget for family planning.“
This is complemented by a tripartite funding mechanism involving the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Nangwete Foundation, and the state government, allowing for broader support and implementation of SRH programmes, he said.
From Ogun State, a similar commitment to sustainability was echoed. Dr Tomi Coker, Commissioner for Health, Ogun State, explained how co-financing arrangements supported by TCI helped build internal capacity to cost and procure commodities, shifting gradually from donor-led to state-led procurement.
Ogun State is now procuring its family planning commodities, and they are free at the point of use to women. We also leveraged counterpart funding with UNFPA and used the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) to support service delivery, she said.
Other financing innovations in Ogun State, she said include tapping into the Drug Management Agency’s fund for vulnerable groups and engaging the private sector and corporate bodies to recognize family planning as a shared development responsibility.
Many still think family planning is the donor’s job. We are working to change that mindset.“We have a budget line, but accessing it can be slow, so we creatively use executive approval limits to ensure supply is not disrupted,” she said.
Speaking on the national impact of these efforts, Dr Taiwo Johnson, National Coordinator of the Challenge Initiative (TCI), provided an overview of the model.
According to Johnson, TCI supports states through a “business-as-usual” model, where states commit their funds to ensure the continuity and sustainability of SRH interventions.
States must express interest and commit to funding their programmes within three to three-and-a-half years of engagement with TCI.
This model ensures that investments are not just donor-dependent but also locally driven and sustainable.
She added that while challenges such as delayed budget releases and weak political will persist in some areas, TCI has recorded significant wins in others—including improved budgeting practices, capacity building, and increased domestic funding for family planning services.
NAN reports that stakeholders at the event agreed that Nigeria’s health system, especially its reproductive health ecosystem, cannot rely solely on external support.
Subnational commitment and innovation are vital to meeting the country’s FP2030 goals and achieving Universal Health Coverage.Meanwhile, Mrs Vivianne Ihekweazu,
Managing Director of Nigeria Health Watch, also a panel moderator, said, As we have seen today, different states are finding localized solutions.
“The real challenge now is how to scale these successes and ensure every woman, no matter where she lives, can access family planning services when she needs them.”
