By Onyinye Oranezi, Nigeria Health Watch

The 8th Nigeria Family Planning Conference opened with powerful messages of commitment to advancing family planning as a cornerstone of Nigeria's health and socio-economic progress. Dr. Ejike Oji, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, highlighted the conference's pivotal role in marking the mid-term accountability year for the FP2030 partnership.

Championing Sector-Wide Approach
This year's event coincides with Nigeria’s new focus on the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAP), led by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare. The SWAP agenda seeks to streamline health programs and strengthen accountability to drive transformative results across Nigeria’s health sector, with a special emphasis on family planning.

Empowering Lives and Driving Development
Family planning, Dr. Oji emphasized, is much more than a health intervention. It is a tool that empowers individuals, strengthens families, and accelerates national development. He cited key evidence: "Every $1 invested in contraceptive services saves $3 in maternal and newborn healthcare costs." This, in turn, frees up resources for education, infrastructure, and healthcare investments.

Progress and Persistent Challenges
While Nigeria’s contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) has risen to 15%, challenges remain, particularly in addressing unmet needs and disparities in access across different regions and communities. However, the government has demonstrated its commitment through key initiatives, including a $4 million release for family planning and the integration of family planning services into the Basic Health Care Provision Fund.

As the global family planning community looks to 2030, Nigeria continues to make strides towards universal access, driven by innovation, collaboration, and a shared commitment to empowering its citizens.

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