The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has issued a stark warning to the Federal Government, stating that Nigeria must make decisive investments in family planning services before 2030 to avert a continued crisis of preventable maternal deaths.
A National Survival Issue
Speaking on January 8, 2026, NUJ President, Alhassan Yahaya, declared that family planning must be treated as a central pillar of national development, not a peripheral health issue. He framed the country's persistently high maternal mortality rate as a matter of national survival with profound social and economic consequences.
Yahaya anchored his urgent call on the global FP2030 partnership and its 'Made Possible by Family Planning' campaign. He explained that access to reproductive health services extends far beyond contraception, directly impacting women's safety during childbirth, child survival rates, and long-term national productivity.
The Funding Crisis and a Call for Ownership
The NUJ President highlighted a critical vulnerability: Nigeria's heavy dependence on donor funding for maternal health programs. He warned that as international partners reduce or freeze support, past gains are under serious threat.
"Funding delays and mismanagement are killing women," Yahaya stated bluntly. He urged the government to take full ownership of its FP2030 commitments by increasing domestic funding, ensuring timely fund releases, and strengthening transparency. He cited evidence that family planning can reduce maternal deaths by approximately 40%, a statistic he said should compel immediate action from leaders.
Proposing Innovative Financing for Health
To achieve universal health coverage, Yahaya proposed moving beyond unreliable annual budgets. He suggested innovative models, including mandating that a percentage of all major government contracts for infrastructure or agriculture contribute to healthcare financing.
He strongly advocated for increasing the statutory allocation to the Basic Health Care Provision Fund from one per cent to five per cent of the consolidated revenue, describing this as a potential game-changer. "This single step could transform our healthcare system. The era of total dependence on donors is over," he asserted.
Yahaya also endorsed basket funding mechanisms, where pooled resources could reduce out-of-pocket expenses, expand insurance, and ensure communities benefit directly. However, he stressed these reforms require strong governance and reliable systems.
Beyond government, he called on the private sector to see health investment as both a moral duty and economic necessity, noting that a healthy population is fundamental to productivity across all sectors.
The Role of Media and a Final Plea
Reaffirming the NUJ's commitment, Yahaya underscored the responsibility of journalists and broadcasters in driving the family planning agenda through strategic communication and sustained public awareness campaigns.
He concluded with an emotional appeal, reframing the crisis: "Maternal mortality is not just a statistic; it is a national tragedy. Every life lost is a failure of our system, and we must act now." His message was clear: without alternative, sustainable funding and urgent prioritization of family planning before 2030, Nigeria's prospects for growth and the wellbeing of its mothers remain in grave jeopardy.
