The United Nations Children Fund, on Monday, lamented the prevailing increase in the number of adolescent children becoming mothers before the age of 18 years.
It, therefore, called for immediate and comprehensive intervention by the governments at all levels, noting that it had “committed $1 billion investment in Nigeria over the next five years”.
The Chief of Health at UNICEF Nigeria, Eduardo Celades stated this during the stakeholders forum on Adolescent and Youths Health Policies in Africa with the theme: “Fostering International Partnerships to Contribute to Adolescents’ and Youths’ Health in Nigeria”.
He said the crisis was beyond substance abuse, encompassing issues like insecurity, mental health, malnutrition, and climate change.
He said, “We are facing a massive crisis affecting our adolescent population. One in 10 girls in Nigeria is projected to become a mother before the age of 18, with a disproportionate impact in the North Central and North-West regions, where 50 per cent of young girls, particularly in states like Bauchi and Gombe, are expected to have a child by the age of 18.
“Half of adolescent girls are unlikely to complete secondary school, and a staggering 43 per cent are already married. Of these, a significant portion has partners older than them, impacting their decision-making autonomy.
“In our analysis of the next five years’ strategy, adolescent issues were only mentioned 14 times in nearly 100 pages. This oversight has prompted a reevaluation, and UNICEF, along with the UN, has committed a $1 billion investment in Nigeria over the next five years.
“In collaboration with university students, we are working on innovative approaches to enhance vaccine coverage. We believe that by empowering young people, we can drive meaningful results. Additionally, addressing mental health concerns among the youth, affecting 10 per cent is a priority in our agenda”, he stated.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, stressed the necessity of directing attention and resources towards the health and well-being of adolescents.
He said the adolescent period was a critical period of life development during which each individual navigated the complex path from childhood to adulthood, adding that the health and approaches adopted shape the potential and contributions of each individual to national development.
The chairman, Board of UI-Research Foundation, Chevalier Uduimo, said the objective of the programme was to contribute to asset-based, impact-driven, and sustainable national policy options supporting the health of adolescents and youths in Africa.
