Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare of Nigeria, Muhammad Pate

Government pushes policy reforms to improve adolescent health and human capital outcomes.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, has called for stronger investment in sexual and reproductive health to drive Nigeria’s economic growth and human capital development.

Speaking at the National Policy Dialogue on Adolescent and Youth Sexual Reproductive Health and Development (AYSRH&D) in Abuja, Mr. Pate, represented by Dr. Binyerem Ukaire, stressed that reproductive health is not only a health issue but a social justice and economic priority.

He warned that challenges such as early marriage, harmful practices, gender inequality, poor access to care, unsafe sex, and drug abuse threaten youth development and the country’s future prosperity.

Mr. Pate noted the government’s commitment to improving reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health through the Nigerian Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and policies like the National Policy on Health and Development of Adolescents and Young People.

The dialogue, organized by the Society for Family Health (SFH), highlighted rising concerns:

• Teenage pregnancy: 15% nationally, highest in rural communities.
• HIV prevalence among youth: 5.2%, higher than national average.
• Low contraceptive uptake and high STI rates among young women.