As Nigeria joins the global community to mark World Population Day 2025, Development Communications Network (DevComs), in collaboration with The Challenge Initiative (TCI) and other partners, has called on policymakers, civil society, donors, and the media to prioritize investments in youth health and wellbeing, particularly in equitable access to family planning services.
Speaking at an event in Lagos, Suliyat Eletu, Communications Programme Officer at DevComs, emphasized the importance of putting young people at the heart of development.
She said: “Young people must be at the centre of development. Their choices matter.
Their dreams matter. And with the right support, they will lead the way toward healthier families and thriving communities.”
Under this year’s global theme, “Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world,” Eletu noted that there is growing momentum in Nigeria to ensure adolescents and young adults have the information and tools needed to make informed reproductive health decisions.
She highlighted that although gains have been made since the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD)which included reducing maternal mortality and expanding access to reproductive healthcare, barriers such as stigma, misinformation, and lack of youth-friendly services still persist.
Dr. Taiwo Johnson, Country Director of TCI Nigeria Hub, described access to family planning for young people not only as a health issue but also a fundamental rights issue.
“When young people are supported to make informed decisions, they become agents of change in their communities,” he said.
Dr. Johnson explained that TCI, which is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Bayer, works with states and LGAs to scale up family planning approaches.
He cited initiatives like Life Planning for Adolescents and Youth (LPAY), which equips youths with comprehensive sexuality education.
He added that efforts are also underway to:Train health workers in delivering respectful, confidential, youth-friendly services
Leverage digital platforms to debunk myths about contraceptives
Engage local influencers and community leaders to normalize family planning discussions.
Abiodun Ajayi, LPAY Champion and Executive Director of the Public Health Sustainable Advocacy Initiative (PHSAI), expressed gratitude to TCI for its youth-centred approach.
He stated: “This World Population Day is a reminder that young people’s needs must not be sidelined. We need investment in education, in health systems, and in policies that give us the tools to thrive.”
The stakeholders agreed that empowering Nigeria’s youth with reproductive health knowledge and access is key to sustainable development, population management, and building a healthier, more equitable future.