Justin Ngong, Officer Communications-FP2030 North, West, and Central Africa hub.
The Nigeria Family Planning Conference is a biannual gathering that brings together the country’s key family planning stakeholders to engage in discussions and strategic planning for the advancement of family planning in Nigeria. The 8th edition of this conference, held this year with over 1297 in person participants, was themed: “Sustaining Commitments for Family Planning within Nigeria’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative; Advancing Progress Toward Achieving FP2030 Goals.”
As the most populous country in Africa, with over 206 million inhabitants[1], Nigeria holds the position of the seventh most populous country globally. Its population continues to grow at a rapid rate, with an estimated annual growth rate of about 2.6%, which poses a significant challenge for the country’s socio-economic development. The rapid population growth highlights the urgent need for effective family planning strategies to ensure sustainable development and improved quality of life for all citizens.
At the heart of these efforts, the Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing family planning. The government has set an ambitious target to achieve a 27% modern contraceptive prevalence rate (MCPR)[2] by 2030. This goal aligns with Nigeria’s broader FP2030 objectives, which seek to improve access to contraceptive services and empower women and couples to make informed reproductive health choices. As part of these efforts, the Nigerian government has pledged to allocate a minimum of 1% of its annual budget[3] to the procurement of family planning commodities. This was confirmed by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, who emphasized that increased financial investments would be crucial to the success of these initiatives.
The national conference kicked off with two days of pre-conference sessions tailored specifically for women, youth, and interfaith groups. These pre-conferences offered valuable platforms for stakeholders to delve into the unique challenges faced by these groups in accessing family planning services and universal healthcare in Nigeria. The sessions highlighted critical issues such as the lack of comprehensive education on family planning, cultural and religious barriers to contraceptive use, and the need for more youth-centered reproductive health services.
Plenary sessions from these pre-conferences provided in-depth discussions on strategies to overcome these challenges, with key recommendations such as expanding outreach programs, increasing public awareness on family planning options, and fostering stronger collaboration with faith-based organizations. Faith-based groups, in particular, play a significant role in shaping attitudes toward family planning in Nigeria, and engaging them more effectively is seen as a priority for ensuring broader acceptance and use of contraceptives.
The conference also provided a platform for government officials, healthcare providers, and civil society organizations to review progress made toward achieving Nigeria’s family planning goals and to identify barriers that remain. According to the latest data, Nigeria’s modern contraceptive prevalence rate (MCPR) stands at 16.3%, which is a notable increase from previous years, but still falls short of the 27% target set for 2030. In addition, regional disparities persist, with some areas having lower access to family planning services, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
The FP2030 initiative calls for a global partnership to help ensure that all women and girls have access to quality family planning services. For Nigeria, this means continued advocacy for increased funding, as well as comprehensive policy reforms that prioritize reproductive health. With these efforts, Nigeria aims to reduce maternal and child mortality, improve women’s economic opportunities, and better manage its rapidly growing population.
As the country moves toward meeting its FP2030 commitments, the family planning conference has once again served as a critical space for stakeholders to assess progress, align efforts, and renew their commitment to a shared goal: ensuring that family planning is accessible, affordable, and sustainable for all Nigerians. The call to evangelize family planning in Nigeria remains a formidable strategy that would involve everyone onboard as the country seeks to meet its FP2030 goals and sustainable development goals.
[1] National Population Commission, Nigeria, 2023 Population and Housing Census.
[2] FP2030 Nigeria Country Progress Report 2023.
[3] Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria, National Family Planning Blueprint 2021-2030.
