Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has emphasised the critical importance of family planning for Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
He then called for more investment and it’s prioritization as a national agenda.
Kalu made the call at the recently concluded 8th Nigeria Family Planning Conference held in Abuja on the theme “Sustaining Commitments for Family Planning within the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative: Advancing Progress Toward Achieving FP2030 Goals”.
In his keynote address, Kalu commended the federal government for allocating 1% of its health budget to family planning and encouraged state governments to adopt similar measures.
He emphasised that such commitments are essential to addressing gaps in contraceptive access, particularly in underserved communities.
He noted that Nigeria’s contraceptive prevalence rate remains at 15%, with an unmet need for family planning at 21%, underscoring the urgency of focused interventions.
The Deputy Speaker pointed to the economic benefits of investing in family planning, citing evidence that every dollar spent on contraceptive services saves three dollars in maternal and newborn healthcare costs.
These savings, he proposed, could be reinvested into critical areas such as education, infrastructure, and health services, enabling Nigeria to harness its demographic dividend.
Kalu also stressed the importance of evidence-based and data-driven strategies, referencing the 2023 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey as a key tool for designing targeted interventions.
He praised the Association for the Advancement of Family Planning (AAFP) for developing accountability scorecards to track resource allocation and ensure impactful service delivery.
Other speakers at the conference called for increased male involvement in family planning initiatives, highlighting the role of men as key decision-makers in many households. Integrating family planning into the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and engaging community and religious leaders were also suggested as ways to build trust and advocacy.
Kalu commended ongoing initiatives such as the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAP) agenda led by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, which aims to unify health sector strategies. He further acknowledged Nigeria’s hosting of the FP2030 board meeting, a move that positions the country as a global leader in family planning advocacy.
The conference brought together policymakers, health experts, and stakeholders to discuss innovative approaches to advancing family planning in Nigeria. With its focus on collaboration and accountability, the event reinforced the importance of sustained investment and partnerships in achieving FP2030 goals.
By reiterating the role of family planning in reducing maternal and infant mortality while fostering economic growth, Kalu urged all levels of government and stakeholders to prioritise reproductive health as a cornerstone of sustainable development.
