Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to promoting adolescent health, gender equity, and inclusive governance.
Dr. Salako emphasised that young people remain the heartbeat of the nation’s future, underscoring their vital role in national development.
Delivering the keynote at the Gender and Inclusion Summit 2025/National Dialogue on Adolescent Health and Wellbeing in Abuja, Dr. Salako said the summit theme, “New Voices and New Approaches for Accelerating an Inclusive Society,” was timely given Africa’s high risk of exclusion.
He said; “Up to 32% of the population is estimated to be at risk of social exclusion, with the highest percentage of 52% in Sub-Saharan Africa. This theme is a call for us to listen differently, act boldly, and collaborate intentionally to dismantle the systemic barriers that hinder the health, rights, and opportunities of our adolescents.”
Dr. Salako disclosed that the Nigeria Survey on Gender Norms, Attitudes, Health, and Wellbeing has provided groundbreaking insights into adolescents aged 10–14, systematically exploring five critical areas: child marriage, gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health, HPV vaccination, and women’s economic empowerment. He emphasised its potential to reshape national policy.
“I strongly believe that the results of this survey will be instrumental in shaping policies and programs that are not only responsive but transformative,” he said, while appreciating the support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for the project.
The Minister stated that adolescents are the torchbearers of the nations future.
“Adolescents represent the heartbeat of our nation’s future. Yet, they face disproportionate risks … These challenges are not just health issues; they are reflections of deeply entrenched social and gender norms that perpetuate inequality,” Dr. Salako stated.
He also highlighted the disproportionate risks they face to include:“Child marriage, gender-based violence, poor access to reproductive health, substance abuse, and mental health challenges are not just health issues.”
The Minister commended Nigeria’s policy strides, stating that under the President Bola Tinubu administration, the country has made strong commitments at both the Global Forum on Adolescent Health and the West and Central Africa platform on education, health, and wellbeing of adolescents.
“Nigeria has made commitments to improve adolescent health at the global forum for adolescent health, and the West and Central African commitment on education, health and wellbeing of adolescents,” Dr. Salako affirmed.
He further said that Nigeria has also institutionalised the International Adolescent Health Week (IAHW), commemorated annually, with the next observance scheduled for October 2025.
The Minister also highlighted reforms within the Ministry, including the Adolescent and School Health Branch of the Family Health Department, a dedicated Adolescent Health Development Technical Subcommittee, and the rollout of training manuals and protocols for frontline health workers.
“We have developed the National Adolescent Health Development Training Manual, and are leveraging it to build the capacity of frontline health workers at all levels of service delivery,” Dr Salako disclosed.
The Ministry, he said, is partnering with the EU through the EU-SARAH project in Sokoto, Adamawa, and Kwara States to expand adolescent reproductive health access, with best practices expected to be scaled nationwide.
“These initiatives are not endpoints but stepping stones and catalytic formulas to leapfrog more commitments, interventions and collaborations, ”the Minister said.
Dr. Salako further cited the successful rollout of routine HPV vaccination for girls aged 9–14 years in 2023, led by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, saying; “We have so far immunised over 14 million girls, covering about 96% of the targeted population.”
The Minister specifically urged state governments to demonstrate greater ownership of adolescent health by establishing sustainable funding mechanisms.
“I call on all our subnational governments to demonstrate priority attention for adolescent health by establishing and funding budget lines to address adolescent health matters,” Dr. Salako appealed.
He further called on stakeholders to adopt transformative strategies, strengthen partnerships, and ensure accountability in adolescent health programming.
“Let us ensure this dialogue is more than a conversation. Let it be a catalyst for change. Our joint aspiration should be to build a Nigeria where every adolescent, regardless of gender, background, or circumstance, has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to national development,” he explained.
Dr. Salako also challenged all to reaffirm to collective responsibility: “As we embrace gender-transformative approaches, strengthen multisectoral partnerships, and translate evidence into action, Nigeria shall be blessed with peace and plenty.”
Sharing Nigeria’s national vision under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the Minister said;“Our aspiration should be to build a Nigeria where every adolescent, regardless of gender, background or circumstance, has the opportunity to thrive, attain their highest potential and contribute to the development of our country.”