Nigeria Targets 27% Contraceptive Prevalence By 2030 In Health Sector Reforms

The federal government on Thursday reaffirmed its commitment to reaching a 27% contraceptive prevalence rate by 2030, as per the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate.

At the 8th National Family Planning Conference 2024 in Abuja, the minister explained that this goal was part of the country's health sector reforms, aiming to provide Nigerians of reproductive age with comprehensive, affordable and high-quality healthcare services.

Pate, represented by the ministry's Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, said that family planning was crucial for managing population growth and reducing maternal and infant health issues, the Premium Times reported.

The three-day conference, titled "Sustaining Commitments for Family Planning within the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, Advancing Progress towards Achieving FP2030 Goals," was organized by the Association for the Advancement of Family Planning in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

The minister acknowledged the urgency of addressing Nigeria's rapid population growth, which was outpacing the country's ability to meet growing demands for jobs, housing, healthcare, education, and other essential services.

He pointed out that this reality highlighted the importance of family planning (FP) as a key strategy to manage population growth while addressing maternal and infant health challenges.

"Without a girl child education, there is nothing much we can do pertaining to FP," he added.

Pate highlighted that there has been significant progress in family planning, with fertility rates decreasing from an average of six children per woman in 1990 to 4.8 today. Furthermore, the modern contraceptive prevalence rate (MCPR) has increased from 4% to 15%.

However, he pointed out that there was still a high unmet need for family planning at 20%, and that regional differences persisted.

At the event, Executive Director of FP2030 Samukeliso Dube highlighted that countries were making progress in improving access to contraceptives, and Nigeria must keep pace.

Dube shared that there are currently 98 million new users of modern contraceptives worldwide. She explained that FP2030, which was launched in 2012, aimed to add 120 million new users of family planning by 2020, and today, there were 98 million new users globally.

She also emphasized that achieving progress depends on political will, with full support from politicians, governors, ministers and presidents.