FG Advocates Investment In Adolescent Health To Boost National Prosperity

The Federal Government of Nigeria has called for a significant boost in investment and policy commitments toward adolescent health, emphasising the critical role that the physical and mental well-being of young people is essential to the nation’s future development.

Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, expressed this while speaking at a press briefing to mark the 2025 International Adolescent Health Week (IAHW) on Monday, stressing that addressing the health needs of adolescents is important to ensuring Nigeria’s long-term socio-economic stability.

Represented by Tetshoma Dafeta, Director of Human Resources at the Ministry of Health, Professor Pate underscored that the nation’s youth, accounting for 23 per cent of the population, must be prioritised in national development agendas.

“We must commit to closing the gaps in adolescent health if we are to secure and sustain our nation’s future,” Pate stated, stressing that adolescents are a crucial demographic whose development impacts the country’s social and economic progress.

While celebrating achievements such as the establishment of the Adolescent and School Health Branch and the release of vital policy documents, including the National Adolescent Health Policy and the Clinical Protocol on Adolescent Health and Development, the Minister acknowledged that further efforts are required to address the broad spectrum of adolescent health needs, particularly in integrating mental health support into existing frameworks.

The theme for this year’s IAHW, “Thriving Inside-Out: Strengthening Physical and Mental Health of Adolescents,” emphasised the importance of a holistic approach to adolescent well-being. Professor Pate explained that physical and mental health are intrinsically linked, and a comprehensive approach to health must nurture both aspects of young people’s development.

The Minister stressed the need for enhanced collaboration, urging schools, families, and healthcare providers to unite and develop programs. These initiatives, he noted, should integrate physical health, nutrition, sleep hygiene, and mental health support. He also asked communities to create safe spaces for recreation and peer networks to foster positive growth among adolescents.

Peculiar Bassey, a student at Karmajiji Junior Secondary School in Abuja, described the difficulties facing modern youth, such as stress, low self-esteem, and peer pressure. She urged the audience to provide more accessible, youth-friendly health services and asked adults to be more observant of the emotional challenges young people endure privately. Her message, which deeply resonated with those present, included the powerful observation: “Sometimes, we just need someone to listen.”

The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachallom, spoke passionately about adolescence, calling it a critical developmental stage that demands targeted and strategic interventions. She reiterated the Ministry’s dedication to initiatives focused on bolstering the physical and mental well-being of young Nigerians. Backing her remarks, Dr Binyerem Ukaire, the Ministry’s Director of Family Health, highlighted the RMNCAEH+N platform, a government effort designed to build multi-stakeholder partnerships to improve health outcomes for youth.

International partners, including the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Society for Family Health (SFH), also expressed strong support for Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to enhance adolescent health. Dr Pavel Ussu, WHO Representative to Nigeria, congratulated the Nigerian government for its leadership in advancing adolescent health and reaffirmed the WHO’s commitment to supporting the country’s health reforms. Similarly, the SFH reiterated its dedication to empowering young Nigerians through health-focused programs.

In his closing remark, Professor Pate stated that investing in adolescent health is an investment in the future of Nigeria. He urged all sectors of society to work together to ensure that every young person in Nigeria has the opportunity to thrive, both physically and mentally.