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Tag: UNFPA

  • UNFPA, Fed Govt to boost population management, reproductive health, others

    UNFPA, Fed Govt to boost population management, reproductive health, others

    The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing collaboration with the Federal Government in promoting population management, reproductive health, and gender equality.

    The newly appointed UNFPA Resident Representative, Ms Muriel Mafico, made the promises when she visited the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, at the Ministry’s headquarters yesterday in Abuja.

    Ms. Mafico hailed the ministry for its enduring partnership with the global agency.

    She described it as a relationship that has remained strong for over five decades.

    Ms. Mafico lauded Bagudu’s leadership and promised the agency’s willingness to keep supporting Nigeria’s population and development agenda.

    “Context matters,” she noted. “We must design programmes that are culturally sensitive and community-owned. Our focus is to ensure that women, girls, and young people are not left behind.”

    The UNFPA chief assured the Federal Government that the global agency remained committed to supporting Nigeria’s reform objectives and the national census exercise.

    She described it as a vital tool for evidence-based planning.

    Bagudu praised UNFPA for its ongoing support to Nigeria’s development priorities.

    The minister said Nigeria’s ongoing reforms concentrate on ensuring that resources are directly connected to tangible results.

    “Our focus is not just on spending more, but on spending better. The ongoing reforms are challenging but essential steps towards sustainable growth.

    “Development partners like UNFPA play a vital role in helping us strengthen that link between investment and impact,” he said.

    Read Also: UNFPA unveils innovation in family planning

    Bagudu stressed the need for designing interventions that align with Nigeria’s cultural and faith-based values.

    He said: “Nigeria is a faith-driven society. Both the Bible and the Qur’an encourage responsible parenting and family life. When we reflect these values in our approaches, our results are stronger and more sustainable.”

    Bagudu invited UNFPA to contribute to the ongoing development of Nigeria’s 2026–2030 National Development Plan, saying it aligns with the long-term “Agenda 2050” framework aimed at creating a more inclusive and empowered economy.

    “We are finalising our next five-year plan, and we welcome UNFPA’s input to ensure that human capital development remains at the centre of our national priorities,” he said.  

  • Lagos, UNFPA urge greater investment in youth empowerment

    Lagos, UNFPA urge greater investment in youth empowerment

    Lagos State Government, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has renewed its call for greater investment in youth empowerment, as part of activities to mark the 2025 World Population Day (WPD) celebrated globally on July 11.

    The event, held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Central Business District, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, with the theme: “Empowering Young People to Create the Families They Want in a Fair and Hopeful World”, was focused on the challenges and opportunities surrounding youths, reproductive rights and inclusive development.

    Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Olayinka Ojo, delivering a keynote address, emphasised the crucial role of youths in shaping the nation’s future. She described young people as drivers of innovation, creativity and job creation, stressing that a well-equipped youth population could yield a demographic dividend for sustainable economic growth.

    “Youths bring new ideas, energy, and creativity. Investing in their development is non-negotiable if we must achieve our development goals,” she said.

    Represented by Director, Development Partners Department, Mobolaji Onimole, commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration for expanding its T.H.E.M.E.S development agenda into T.H.E.M.E.S+, which now includes youth engagement, gender equality, and social inclusion — all aligning with this year’s WPD theme.

    Head of UNFPA Lagos and Programme Coordinator, Abigail Msemburi, raised concern over declining global fertility rates, attributing the trend to systemic barriers that prevent many young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, from achieving their desired family lives.

    “The fertility crisis isn’t about people choosing careers over families — it’s about economic hardship, lack of access to health services, and societal pressures,” she said.

    Read Also: Presidency applauds DBI leadership for advancing digital skills, youth empowerment

    She called for increased investment in youth-friendly policies including comprehensive sexuality education, affordable childcare, employment opportunities, and work-life balance initiatives. She lauded Lagos State for leading with forward-thinking youth policies and noted that nearly half of the state’s population comprises young people — a demographic reality that presents both challenges and prospects.

    “We must pay attention to what young people want. When we support their reproductive autonomy and aspirations, we’re helping to build a more equitable and hopeful world,” she added.

    Also speaking at the event, the State Director of the National Population Commission (NPC), Bamidele Sadiku, advised Nigerian youths to complement academic qualifications with relevant vocational and soft skills that would improve their employability and economic independence.

  • Lagos, UNFPA train special needs instructors for schools

    Lagos, UNFPA train special needs instructors for schools

    The Lagos State Government in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has trained special need instructors and counsellors from 15 selected schools across the state. The training was to onboard the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) curriculum in special needs schools.

     The three-day training, which held at the Ibis Hotel Ikeja Lagos is the first phase of the onboarding process in order to ensure that children in special need schools across Lagos State and those out of school are equipped with sex education.

     The CSE which started in 2021 with five technical colleges and eight Women And Poverty Alleviation centres, acquisition centres with six modules has been broadened to nine modules to accommodate the special needs of marginalised children.

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Mrs. Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu explained that the teaching of sexuality and sexual health is an imperative as the country moves towards a more inclusive education system highlighting that the training is designed to empower instructors with necessary tools, knowledge and sensitivity required to effectively disseminate the CSE curriculum to their respective schools to meets the need of the children.

    Read Also: Challenges before Aiyedatiwa

     She added that with human sexuality occupying an integral part of overall wellbeing, the Lagos State government in collaboration with UNFPA considers as priority the sexual development of special needs children who are very often marginalised in society.

     Oke-Osanyintolu, who was represented by Mr. Saka Abdulateef said: “The Comprehensive Sexuality Education is structured in such a way that it provides a framework for the acquisition of knowledge of self and family living across the individual’s life course spread around thematic areas of

    “Therefore, the implementation of the curriculum will improve access to adequate and correct information for young people, improving their ability to make informed decisions about their own sexuality and reproductive lives and exercise their reproductive rights.”

     Speaking on the sidelines at the event, a Director in the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Umar Rashida Omashola said that the onboarding of the Comprehensive Sexuality Education curriculum in special needs schools would help curb cases of sexual abuse among people living with disability, build their self esteem and promote a well informed community of young people.

     Omoshola explained that the Lagos State and the UNFPA hopes to make the project a sustainable one by building a culture of continuous learning for participants to ensure that the skills acquired are updated from time to time.

     “So our relationship with the UNFPA has been fruitful. it’s been seamless and it’s a mutually benefitting relationship. For the news set of instructors that being trained, we are going to take them through the curriculum, and how they are going to be teaching their students using the curriculum,” she said.

  • UNFPA unveils innovation in family planning

    UNFPA unveils innovation in family planning

    A groundbreaking solution that will shape the landscape of family planning in Nigeria has been unveiled by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

    The agency stressed the critical role access to family planning information and services plays in curbing the mortality rate during childbirth.

    Gender/Reproductive Health Analyst, UNFPA, Esther Somefun, said case studies show that 3.5 million pregnancies could be avoided and more than 31,000 women in Nigeria saved from dying if all women were able to plan their families, give birth and have access to modern family planning.

    It was at the Family Planning Hackathon, themed ‘Creating Innovative Solutions to Increase Access to Family Planning’ where 14 innovators gathered to present their solutions for solving women’s health.

    The programme was organised by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, UNFPA, and Microsoft Engineering Team in Lagos.

    Somefun said health economists estimate that if investment worth at least $603 million is put into family planning, many women would not die at childbirth, adding that over 500 women die by 100,000 life births.

    She added that technology and innovation are catalysts and accelerators to reducing maternal mortality.

    “We are gathered to explore domestically developed technological invasions that we are sure would facilitate access, increase demand and uptake to family planning in Nigeria.

    “UNFPA seeks to achieve three transformative results: ending unmet need of family planning, unwanted pregnancy and all forms of violence and harmful traditional practices,” Somefun said.

    Read Also: Ministry of health, UNFPA host forum on family planning in Lagos

    Executive Director, of Hacey Health Initiative, Rhoda Robinson, said the hackathon sought a sustainable solution to ensure Nigeria meets its family planning target and spotlights innovation that addresses such challenges in the society.

    She said that the 14 finalists prefer locally produced solutions which would be relevant in society.

    Innovation Team Lead, African Development Center (ADC), Microsoft Engineering Team, Nkem Nweke, emphasised the importance of building local solutions that solve the region’s peculiar problems and can also be relevant to the global markets.

    He said innovation should be meaningful, applicable and responsible.

    “As we build technology at Microsoft, we want to ensure AI is a solution that provides, solves or helps problems in the world today,” he added.

    The finalists that emerged after their presentations include Contrateck, PlanWise and Medbot.

  • Lagos, UNFPA empower girl-child with digital skills

    Lagos, UNFPA empower girl-child with digital skills

    The Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has marked the International Day of the Girl-Child with a digital capacity development training for girls in five secondary schools.

    The initiative was to step-up the shift from analogue to digital technologies using technological advancements ranging from smartphones, mobile internet and the Internet of Things (IoT), to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning, (big) data as well social media, cloud computing and robotics.

    The schools were Government Senior College, Agege; Alimosho Senior Grammar School, Iyana – Ipaja; Lagos State Senior Model College, Meiran; Keke Senior Secondary School, Agege and Vetland Senior Grammar School.

    At the presentation of awards to outstanding pupils, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Cecilia Dada, noted that it is imperative to invest in education, health and skills development of the girl-child as change agents.

    Mrs. Dada, represented by the Director, Domestic Violence Unit, Ms. Olorunfemi Toyin, said: “We live in an era where the opportunities for girls to excel are limitless. With the advent of technology, girls can access education, entrepreneurship, and information like never before. They can challenge stereotypes, fight for their rights, and become leaders in various fields.

    “We must also acknowledge that there are still significant barriers that girls face in our society, including limited access to technology, restricted educational opportunities, and gender-based violence. That is why initiatives such as this are essential in promoting and celebrating the achievements of our young girls.

    Read Also: Emefiele out of custody after securing bail

    “Today, we are not just recognising their accomplishments; we are also highlighting the urgency of creating an enabling environment that supports their aspirations and dreams.”

    The UNFPA Gender Reproductive Health Analyst, Dr. Esther Somefun, said digital revolution has brought immense potentials to improving social and economic outcomes to enhance global wellbeing, productivity and growth of the populace. However, women remain under-represented in the digital revolution, especially in low and middle-income countries despite the possibilities for marshalling greater equality.

    “The UNFPA, through its Youth Participatory Platform and Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, has launched an innovation challenge to inspire solutions to prevent Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in educational institutions and workplaces. Five senior secondary schools participated in the essay writing competition and prizes are being awarded today, to the first, second and third place winner.”

    Highlight of the event was the presentation of gifts to the winners – Akeula Faidat of Alimosho Senior Grammar School (laptop);

    Afosefoun Idowu of Lagos State Senior Model College, Meiran (Tablet Phone) and Erioluwa Olofin Iyiola of Vetland Senior Grammar School, Agege (Android Phone).

  • Women empowerment reduces over-dependence on men — Ebonyi govt.

    The Ebonyi Government said on Thursday in Abakaliki that engaging women meaningfully would go a long way toward minimizing their over-dependence on men.

    Mrs Macellina Ibina, Director, Department of Women Affairs in the state’s Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    Ibina was reacting to the level of awareness on women’s rights, empowerment, and violence against them.

    She said that the ministry had established an organisation known as Mother Savings and Loan Club (MSLC) to alleviate poverty among members.

    READ ALSO: ‘Women empowerment priority to Osun govt’

    She added that the club was established in furtherance of the Mother and Child Survival Programmes, part of which was to enable members have access to loan to enable them to provide their needs especially where their health was concerned.

    “We target women empowerment to reduce over-dependence on men.

    “This is because when women are not empowered, they rely more on men, which will cause them to accept any condition they find themselves,” Ibina said.

    She further said that the high level of interest shown by the women in the club prompted it to set up offices in 41 communities across the 11 council areas of the state with plans being made to establish such offices to other areas.

    Ibina, however, said that lot of sensitisation on the rights of women had been carried out through aggressive campaign.

    She said that part of the mandate of the ministry was to educate women on their rights as well as empower them to contribute to the growth and development of the society.

    “We visit them regularly for sensitization and to make them understand that the ministry is the first place to lodge their cases.

    “We have also gone deep to educate traditional rulers,” Ibina said.

    According to her, the ministry is working closely with Civil Society Organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations, as well as other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to achieve its goals.

    The director added that the ministry was collaborating with donor agencies such as UNFPA to end Female Genital Mutilation in the state.

     

  • Experts urge Private Sector to invest in Youths

    In an attempt to overturn the economic situation of the country, experts have charged members of the private sector (organizations and businesses) to invest in Nigerian youths so as to help turn around the economy.

    The experts who double as high-level stakeholders spread across National Population Commission, UN agencies led by the United Nations Population Fund [UNFPA], HACEY Health Initiative, GBC Health, Population Council and ONE Campaign yesterday, held the first ever Private Sector Conference which bothers on how private sector can invest in young people to harnessing the Demographic dividends in Nigeria, at Four points by Sheraton, Lagos.

    According to the Director of Research & Development, Hacey Health Initiative, Paul Ojajuni, empowerment and education of young people is vital to the promotion of accelerated economic growth, urging the concerned parties to tap into the resources of the youths of Nigeria so as to develop the economy.

    He said that the Nigerian population is really young, so, we consider that an untapped resource and then we believe that if investment is made in that population, there will be returns on investment which will lead to accelerated economic growth.

    The concept of Demographic dividend is having a very young, healthy and productive young population that can actually contribute to the society, he added.

    Furthermore, Ojajuni urged the Nigerian youths to value opportunities and advised them to hold the bull by its horn so as to tap into the opportunities that are available and will arise as a result of this initiative.

    “The youths need to be proactive regarding things that they need to do, secondly, they need to be able to create opportunities rather wait for the government to create opportunities for them,” Ojajuni added.

    “The population of Nigeria is increasing rapidly and we need to control the size at which the population is increasing and improve our life expectancy. The government cannot do it alone; the development partners cannot do it alone ,” Sylvia Adebajo, country director, Population Council said at Nigeria’s first Private sector Conference on Demographic Dividend in Nigeria held yesterday in Lagos.

    Experts urge Private Sector to invest in Youths

    “We need to engage the private sector to contribute to the development of our human capital to achieve demographic dividend,” Adebajo said.

    “The shape of the population of any nation determines its level of development and demographic dividend is not automatic, it has to be planned for,” Osaretin Adonri, assistant representative, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) representing Diene Kieta, country representative, said.

    “We must create the population structure that we want and that structure must be the one that has more of our population working than the percentage that is dependent.

    Read Also: HACEY advocates usage of technology to develop sexual orientation In Africa

    “To be able to increase the population that is working and reduce the dependent population we must start from planning the population and that is where family planning is very important,” Adonri said.

    One of the aims of the conference is to ensure government and private sector collaborate to invest in the youths of the country so that the can both, as one, work towards the common good of all by harnessing the Demographic dividends in Nigeria.

    As such, Ojajuni, urged the government to join the train by putting in place some workable policies to grease the engine of the new train.

    “We expect there to be certain policies in the country that will enable young people reach their full potentials.

    “Such are policies regarding health, policies regarding entrepreneurship, policies regarding education and not just enacting policies but policies that are well translated at all levels to action.

    He also added that, “to harness demographic dividend the private sector to play huge role. We’ve seen the private sector over time (such as Access Bank, Microsoft, etc), initiate programmes and projects across sectors which have been successful in health, financing and others.

    “The private sector is a huge partner in this and that’s why we are doing this for the private sector and all Nigerians.

    “We strongly believe that Nigerian youths are not lazy but very productive people, he concluded.

  • UNFPA to support Kaduna govt in tackling violence, rape

    The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), on Friday pledged to support Kaduna State Government in tackling the issues of violence and rape especially against children in the state.

    The UNFPA Nigeria representative, Dr Dianne Kiante made the commitment during an interactive session with youth in Rigasa, Igabi Local Government area of the state.

    “I am very honoured to be here as the state government prioritises this community, we are here to see how young people are doing, listen to their problems and proffer solutions.

    ” The issue of rape and violence happening in Kaduna is disturbing and we will try our best to help as the only solution is education”, she said.

    Kiante stated that the organization would improve on the provision of skills to the youth as well as create awareness on the ills of rape and violence.

    She commended the youth of the community for their enthusiasm and want for progress urging them to be persistent in pursuing their dreams.

    In her remark, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Hafsat Baba stated that the state government was doing it’s best in tackling social ills in the state and has given priority to education and health.

    ” The government has allocated more funds to education and health, that’s why more schools are being built in the state.

    “We have created a continuing education programme for girls who dropped out of school for marriage, to continue pursuing knowledge”, she said.

    Baba however urged parents to stop neglecting their responsibilities and blaming government for allowing their children to cause ills in the society.

    “It is the responsibility of government to provide school, road, hospital, pipe-borne water, security but it is not its responsible to train and inculcate good manners to the child. It is the responsibility of the parents”, she stressed.

    The commissioner also urged parents not to show disparity between genders, and stressed the need for all segments of the society to live peacefully, to ensure development.

    NAN

     

     

  • Dapchi girls’ release a great news – UNFPA

    The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has commended the Federal Government for securing the release of the abducted students of Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State.

    The UNFPA described the girls’ release as cheering news and a welcomed development.

    It offered to give psychosocial and reproductive healthcare support to the girls.

    In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, UNFPA congratulated the federal government, saying it is excited with the news that the girls have been released after weeks in captivity and uncertainty.

    “It is cherishing news to know that the girls will be returning to their families who have been waiting for their returns.

    “UNFPA is currently on ground in Yobe State, providing psychosocial counseling to the parents and families of the girls and on standby to support the Nigerian government to provide the comprehensive psychosocial support and other specialized services needed for the released girls.

    “Already staffs at a UNFPA supported health clinic are on standby to provide medical check-ups for the girls. We commend the government for this important achievement in helping to protect women and girls impacted by the conflict in North East Nigeria but remain deeply concerned for the thousands of women and children still held in captivity by Boko Haram. Greater efforts must be made to bring them all to safety and home to their families,” said the UNFPA Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Diene Keita.

     

     

     

  • 1.6m Borno IDPs benefit from UNFPA in 12 months

    1.6m Borno IDPs benefit from UNFPA in 12 months

    No fewer than 16 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) benefited from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in the outgoing year, the UN agency said yesterday.

    The assistance, according to UNFPA’s Media Associate in Nigeria Ms. Kori Habib, was given in collaboration with the Borno State Ministry of Women Affairs.

    A statement by Ms. Habib said many health facilities were also supported within the period under review.

    According to the statement, about 59,000 deliveries were performed in 2017 in the supported health facilities.

    Besides, it said the agency reached about 337,000 with Gender Based Violence (GBV) prevention and response programmes.

    Quoting UNFPA’s Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Diene Keita, the media associate issued the statement during her first official visit to Borno State for a first hand assessment of UNFPA’s activities on ground.

    She added that apart from her, the country representative was accompanied by the Deputy Representative, Dr. Eugene Kongnyuy and a humanitarian officer.

    The representative visited Muna Garage and Farm Centre IDPs camps.

    The statement reads: “Some of the services rendered in those camps are the Safe Space, which provides a platform through which women and girls meet on a daily basis to rebuild their networks and make friends.

    “The safe space avails the IDPs an opportunity to discuss their concerns, acquire life skills including information on various issues such as gender based violence, HIV and AIDS, reproductive health, hygiene and sanitation.’’

    It said the safe space operates between 9am and 4.30 pm throughout the weekdays.

    It added that UNFPA trained and deployed three PSS (Psychosocial Support) and two community mobiliser volunteers who jointly manage daily activities organised at the safe space.

    It noted that the state, through UNFPA support, have provided permanent structures as safe spaces in Kaga, Munguno, Bama and Damboa local government areas.

    The statement quoted the Country Representative as saying that UNFPA has been in Borno long before the insurgency.

    “We can use our experiences before and after to guide our programme moving forward,’’ Ms. Habib said in the statement.

    Dr. Keita appealed to the UNFPA humanitarian hub workers to appreciate the cultural and social norms of the people in the area.

    She identified Borno as the most affected by the humanitarian crisis in the Northeast with 80 per cent of the 1.8 million IDPs being in the state.

    According to her, UN estimates that 8.5 million people required humanitarian assistance this year in the worst-affected states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.

    Dr. Keita said: “Those affected in camps are women, girls and young people are severely affected with 54 per cent of the IDPs being female and 56 per cent below the age of 18 years.

    “The humanitarian situation exposes IDPs, especially women and girls, to protection risks with limited access to reproductive health and gender-based violence prevention and response services.”