As this year’s World Population Day is marked this week, on July 11, 2024, the spotlight turns to Nigeria’s efforts to address its burgeoning population, particularly in the bustling commercial capital of Lagos, and indeed elsewhere. At the forefront of this critical endeavour is The Challenge Initiative (TCI), a dynamic program that builds on the successes of the pioneering Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI), both from the stable of Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore.
Lagos, with an estimated population of over 24 million, is grappling with the challenges of rapid urbanization. Inadequate access to family planning services has contributed to high fertility rates and strained the city’s resources. However, TCI is working tirelessly to change this narrative, providing life-saving reproductive health and family planning information and services to individuals and families.
“The Challenge Initiative represents an innovative and timely approach to addressing the seemingly intractable problem of low family planning uptake in different states in Nigeria,” explains Dr. Omotunde Odanye, the State Program Manager of TCI Lagos. “We are determined to empower individuals and families to attain their reproductive health rights by tackling the myths, misconceptions, and barriers to making informed family planning decisions and by partnering with the state and non-state structures to implement high-impact interventions in this regard.”
A comprehensive effort to increase awareness, access, and utilization of family planning services has identified several strategic areas that require urgent attention, including commodity security, discouraging the use of traditional methods, and addressing the fear and misinformation surrounding family planning. The TCI efforts have been gaining traction with the media over the years with skills development in over 20 states across Nigeria
“We are excited to collaborate with TCI and support their efforts to promote family planning uptake in Lagos,” says Adesola Ibironke Kosoko, the General Manager of Lagos Television. “Our existing health programs and platforms can be leveraged to amplify the message and reach the people who need it most.”
The FP 2030
The importance of this initiative cannot be overstated. Nigeria has committed to the FP2030 global partnership, which aims to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health services by the end of the decade. TCI’s work in Nigeria aligns with this goal and contributes to the country’s progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3 on good health and well-being.
Religious leaders, who hold significant influence in Nigerian communities, are, among others, also being engaged as crucial partners in this endeavour. By addressing concerns and misconceptions from a faith-based perspective, TCI hopes to foster a more supportive environment for family planning.
As the world celebrates World Population Day, the spotlight shines brightly on Lagos and the tireless efforts of TCI and other partners to empower individuals, families, and communities with the knowledge and resources they need to make informed choices about their reproductive health.