By; ARCHIBONG ESUENE, Abuja The Federal Government has called for increased investment and policy commitment toward improving adolescent healt
By; ARCHIBONG ESUENE, Abuja
The Federal Government has called for increased investment and policy commitment toward improving adolescent health and well-being, stating that the nation’s future progress depends on the physical and mental development of its young population.
Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja as part of the activities to mark the 2025 International Adolescent Health Week (IAHW), Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate stressed that Nigeria must make a strong commitment to close the gaps in adolescent health and development.
Prof Pate explained that if the country hopes to secure its economic, social, and political stability, the need for stronger investment and policy commitment in this direction cannot be overemphasized.
According to him, the adolescents account for 23 per cent of Nigeria’s population, describing them as a vital sub-population whose well-being must be prioritized in national development planning.
He said, “to secure and sustain our future economic, social, and political progress, Nigeria needs to make a strong commitment to closing the gaps in the health and development of its adolescents,”
The Coordinating Minister, represented by the Director Human Resource Department in the Ministry, Tetshoma Dafeta; disclosed that the Ministry has established an Adolescent and School Health Branch, a funded budget line for adolescent health, and several policy documents including the National Adolescent Health Policy, Clinical Protocol on Adolescent Health and Development, and Training Manuals to guide service delivery.
Prof. Pate however, admitted that despite these achievements, a lot more needs to be done to address the broad spectrum of adolescent needs, especially in integrating physical and mental health.
This year’s IAHW theme, “Thriving Inside-Out: Strengthening Physical and Mental Health of Adolescents,” he said, underscores the need for a holistic approach that nurtures both the physical and mental aspects of young people’s well-being.
“Thriving inside-out means recognizing that physical and mental well-being are deeply interconnected, one cannot flourish without the other,” the Minister emphasized.
While calling for stronger collaboration among schools, families, and healthcare providers to create comprehensive programs that integrate nutrition, exercise, sleep hygiene, and mental health support, he appealed to policymakers, legislators at all levels to include specific budgetary allocations within key ministries, such as Education, Women Affairs, Youth Development, Sports, Transport, and Justice, to fund adolescent-focused initiatives.
Earlier in her speech, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Health , Daju Kachallom described adolescence as a “critical stage of growth” that demands targeted interventions, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to support programs that strengthen the physical and mental well-being of adolescents in the country.
Represented by the Director Family Health Department in the Ministry, Dr. Binyerem Ukaire; she cited the establishment of the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent, and Elderly Health plus Nutrition (RMNCAEH+N) platform as a major government effort to coordinate multi-stakeholder partnerships involving civil society.
One of the participants, Peculiar Bassey, representing adolescents from Karmajiji Junior Secondary School Abuja, commended the Federal Ministry of Health carrying them along,“Thank you for inviting us to this press briefing, we feel your love and know that you care about us. It’s such a joy to be here as we celebrate International Adolescent Health Week, thriving inside – out.”
Her appreciation did just ended without reflecting on the silent struggles many young people face, “many young people today deal with things we don’t always talk about. Stress, low self-esteem, peer pressure, even loneliness, these challenges affect not just our bodies but our minds too.”
She called on the government to make physical and mental health services more accessible and youth-friendly, urging teachers to look out for students who might be struggling silently, and encouraged parents and communities to listen without judgment, “sometimes, we just need someone to listen.”
Alaba Balogun, Deputy Director/ Head, Information & Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Health in a statement, said that in his vote of thanks, Dr. John Ovouraye, Director Gender, Adolescent School Health, Elderly Division in Family Health Department of the Ministry outlined activities to commemorate the Adolescent Health Week, to include amongst others, sensitization visits to selected schools in Amac, Kuje and Bwari area councils in Abuja.
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