The Adamawa State Government has received accolades for its substantial investment in healthcare, particularly in reproductive and adolescent health services.
Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, Chief of Field Office for UNICEF Bauchi, commended the government’s commitment during a panel discussion led by adolescent girls from all parts of the state in Yola, urging state authorities to sustain their efforts due to the long-term benefits of these initiatives.
The event, organised by UNICEF, UNFPA, and the European Union in collaboration with the Adamawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (APHCDA), was part of activities marking the 2025 International Women’s Day celebration.
According to Rafique, the event was part of the European Union’s Strengthening Access to Reproductive and Adolescent Health (EU-SARAH) initiative.
“This €40 million, four-year program, launched in December 2024, targets Adamawa, Sokoto, and Kwara states with the aim of improving reproductive health services and strengthening data-driven healthcare delivery,” she said.
She disclosed that the EU-SARAH initiative is set to impact 75,000 adolescents annually, 2.4 million children under five every year, 279,995 pregnant and lactating mothers, and 175,000 indirect beneficiaries annually for the next four years.
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Dr. Rafique stressed the programmes focus on fostering collaboration between adolescent girls and key stakeholders to ensure that young girls’ concerns, such as reproductive health, early marriage, and nutrition, are central in advocacy and policymaking efforts. She encouraged youth in Adamawa to leverage digital platforms and existing healthcare infrastructure to advance their advocacy efforts and directly engage policymakers.
Additionally, she urged the government to ensure that healthcare centers are youth-friendly, making them more accessible and welcoming for adolescents seeking reproductive health services.
Dr. Bashir Sulaiman, Executive Chairman of APHCDA, disclosed that Adamawa State boasts over 1,070 primary healthcare facilities offering adolescent-friendly services.
“These centers cater to young girls, individuals with disabilities, and survivors of gender-based violence,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of mental health education for adolescent girls, stating that “equipping them with reproductive health knowledge would empower them to educate their peers and contribute to better self-care and family well-being.”
Dr. Victoria Isiramen, a Mental and Newborn Health Specialist at UNICEF Abuja, described investing in adolescent girls as critical to achieving demographic dividends. She highlighted that Nigeria has approximately 60 million adolescent girls who require support to realise their potential as future change-makers.
Similarly, Rashida Tahir, Director of Community Health at APHCDA, underscored the role of adolescent girls in promoting health education among their peers and society. Through the EU-SARAH project, community-based clubs led by adolescent girls have been established to improve health awareness and overall well-being.
Stakeholders at the event called on parents to provide accurate and essential reproductive health information to adolescents. They also urged state authorities to prioritize adolescent health and ensure sustained government support for youth-friendly healthcare services.
With the EU-SARAH initiative strengthening already established government systems, the focus remains on reducing health challenges through information, education, and empowerment.
Experts at the event reiterated that each girl should know her fundamental rights—health, sanitation, education, and protection—and be empowered to take charge of her life, family, and community.
