The Federal Government has launched a high-level inter-ministerial platform to strengthen family planning, improve health outcomes and accelerate human capital development in Nigeria.
The platform, inaugurated in Abuja by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, brings relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies together to coordinate policies and investments in family planning, health and national development.
Pate said Nigeria’s estimated 230 million population could become the country’s greatest asset or a major liability, depending on investments in health, education, empowerment and productivity.
“Nigeria’s population is its greatest asset,” he said, stressing that the population is projected to reach between 450 million and 500 million by 2050.
The minister said family planning, reproductive health, maternal and child health, girls’ education and youth empowerment were interconnected elements of human capital development.
“Family planning is not only a health issue. It is connected to education, economic productivity, the wellbeing of families and the future of our country,” Pate said.
He said the new platform would bring relevant government institutions together to align priorities, strengthen accountability and drive practical action.
“We must ensure that the success of this platform is measured by concrete and measurable results, not simply by meetings and discussions,” he said.
Pate also announced progress towards domestic production of family planning commodities, describing it as an important step towards reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported supplies.
“This is an important milestone for Nigeria because domestic production will reduce our dependence on imports, create employment and retain more economic value within the country,” he said.
He called for sustained financing and implementation at the subnational level, saying national policies must translate into improved outcomes for Nigerians.
The Managing Director, North, West and Central Africa Regional Hub of Family Planning 2030, Dr Alain Damiba, commended the Federal Government for establishing the platform.
Damiba described family planning as a shared responsibility across government and a smart investment in human capital.
“Family planning is a shared responsibility. It is not the responsibility of the health sector alone,” he said.
He said the platform would help establish shared outcomes, strengthen accountability and track progress across Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
“Investments in family planning extend beyond health to education, economic productivity and the wellbeing of families and communities,” Damiba said.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom S. mni, represented at the event by the Director, Family Health, Dr Ahmad Muhammad Ozi, said improved health outcomes required coordinated policies, aligned investments and shared accountability.
“Let us use this platform to move beyond discussions to concrete, coordinated and measurable actions,” she said.
She urged members of the platform to focus on practical steps that would strengthen collaboration and translate shared priorities into measurable results.
The Federal Government and participating stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to sustained collaboration, coordinated investment and measurable action to strengthen family planning, improve health outcomes and accelerate human capital development for a healthier, more productive and prosperous Nigeria.