Advocate calls for increased state investment in reproductive health
A reproductive health advocate, Akin Jimoh, has called for greater state-level investment in reproductive health services to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on external donors.
Jimoh, the Executive Director of Development Communications Network (DevComs), made this call on Friday during a media advocacy training in Benin City.
He emphasised the need to integrate family planning into primary healthcare services to ensure accessibility for all.
The workshop, themed “Media Sensitisation for Improved Family Planning Advocacy and Ownership in Edo State,” was organised by DevComs in collaboration with The Challenge Initiative (TCI).
Jimoh stated that family planning was not just a health intervention but also an investment in the well-being and economic future of the state.
“When families can plan their pregnancies, maternal and child health improves, economic burdens reduce, and communities become more resilient,” he said.
He warned that the progress made in reproductive health could be short-lived if the state continued to rely on donor-driven support.
“Edo state government is urged to increase local funding for family planning, strengthen community-based contraceptive distribution, and empower traditional and religious leaders to advocate for family planning as a tool for economic and social stability,” he said.
Jimoh also highlighted the role of the media in ensuring sustained advocacy for family planning.
He urged journalists to hold policymakers accountable, track budget allocations, and educate the public on the economic benefits of family planning.
“The media remains a powerful force in making sure family planning is not sidelined. Beyond health, it is a critical tool for economic empowerment and national development,” he added.
He encouraged media houses to utilise digital platforms and community radio stations to spread accurate family planning messages, particularly to rural communities where misinformation was prevalent.
Jimoh commended the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) for promoting health awareness and debunking myths about family planning but urged journalists to make family planning a permanent part of public discourse, not just part of periodic campaigns.
In his remarks, Olumayowa Adeniran, DevComs Media Engagement Officer, explained that the training aimed to boost awareness, strengthen advocacy efforts, and create a sustained demand for family planning through media-driven initiatives.
Mrs Adja Abieyuwa, Coordinator of Reproductive Health at the Edo Ministry of Health, addressed the persistent myths surrounding family planning.
She emphasised that dispelling misinformation was crucial to increasing contraceptive uptake and reducing maternal and child mortality.
Mrs Nkodya Nwanne, the State Programme Manager at TCI, also highlighted the importance of educating young people and adolescents about their reproductive health needs, noting that family planning efforts often primarily focus on women.
