By Alexander Chiejina, Nigeria Health Watch

Family Planning: Driving Progress Toward Health Equity and Maternal Survival

The opening ceremony of the 8th Nigerian Family Planning Conference set an inspiring tone with remarks from Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole, former Minister of Health, Nigeria. Prof. Adewole highlighted that family planning is the most effective “vaccine” against maternal mortality, emphasizing its critical role in safeguarding women’s lives.

He further underscored the importance of the Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) agenda in enabling strategic planning and integration of family planning services. As Nigeria strives to meet its ambitious FP2030 goals, Prof. Adewole called on stakeholders to go beyond routine actions, foster collaboration, and adopt innovative approaches to ensure every woman has access to family planning options.

Adding to the discussion, Rodio Diallo, Deputy Director at the Gates Foundation, highlighted the transformative power of community engagement. She emphasized that supporting women and girls is key to achieving family planning goals and ensuring sustainable national development. Diallo reaffirmed the Foundation’s unwavering commitment to supporting Nigeria in closing gaps and achieving equitable outcomes in family planning access.

The conference underscored a shared vision for a healthier Nigeria, where family planning is not just a health intervention but a cornerstone for social and economic transformation. Stakeholders must now take decisive steps to turn this vision into reality.

Stay tuned for more community-driven, community-inspired reporting from the 8th Nigerian Family Planning Conference, taking place December 3–6, 2024.