The Challenge Initiative (TCI), a non-governmental organisation, has asked the Adamawa State Government to continue supporting family planning efforts. These efforts have helped 29,000 new people start using family planning between January 2023 and June 2025.
This appeal was made by Dr Taiwo Johnson, TCI’s Chief of Party, during a meeting with key partners held on Thursday in Yola.
The meeting was focused on helping Adamawa State become self-reliant in managing its family planning programmes.
Dr Johnson, who was represented by Dr Dorcas Akila from TCI, praised the success of the programme in Adamawa and encouraged the government to keep it going as TCI prepares to end its support in the state.
She explained that TCI has been running this programme in 22 states, including Adamawa, and congratulated the state for being one of the best performers.
She said that across Nigeria, over 1.7 million people have started using family planning because of TCI’s efforts to promote healthier families.
She said the three-year partnership with the Adamawa Government was aimed at helping the state manage family planning on its own by increasing access and usage.
“To become self-reliant,” she said, “the government needs to take full responsibility—planning, funding, and running family planning services without needing outside help.”
She added that political leaders must show real commitment by creating policies, staying accountable, promoting awareness, and coordinating activities.
She also said financial support is important. The government should plan budgets and make sure funds are released for family planning services, supplies, and awareness campaigns.
Dr Johnson shared that TCI spent N93.4 million on the programme, while the Adamawa Government provided family planning supplies worth N28 million in 2024.
She added that even as TCI’s support ends, they will still work with the state to keep awareness high, improve services, and manage data well.
Dr Suleiman Bashir, who leads the Adamawa Primary Healthcare Development Agency, praised TCI. He said the partnership helped improve family planning services in the state.
He said they have reached over 600,000 people through new and creative methods. He promised the government will continue running the programme responsibly.
Mrs Aisha Abubakar, the family planning lead at the State Ministry of Health, said 30 health centres in nine local government areas—including Yola North, Gombi, Fufore, Michika, Demsa, and Maiha—took part in the programme.
She explained that before the programme started in 2022, the state had about 47,980 people using family planning. Since then, 69,094 more people have joined.
Dr Ahmad Musdafa, the District Head of Girei, through his representative Malam Sanusi Yahaya, praised TCI for educating people in rural areas about the safety and benefits of family planning.
He said this education is helping improve family health, boost the economy, and make people more open to using family planning products.
The event was organised by TCI and Development Communications Network (DevComs), and it brought together people from the health sector, media, and religious and traditional institutions.
At the event, TCI honoured and gave awards to religious and traditional leaders who supported and promoted family planning in their communities.
