By THE Federal Government of Nigeria has raised the alarm over the country’s rising teenage pregnancy rate, revealing that 15 per cent of girls aged 15 to 19 are either mothers or pregnant.
Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, made the disturbing disclosure Tuesday at the validation of Nigeria’s first National Policy on Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management (MHHM). Represented by the ministry’s permanent secretary, Maryam Keshinro, she said poor menstrual hygiene and lack of access to affordable sanitary products contribute to reproductive health challenges among adolescents.
“More than 7.3 million adolescent girls and women suffer from undernutrition, with 55 per cent affected by anaemia,” she disclosed. “Menstruation is a normal biological process that should never be a source of shame, stigma, or economic hardship.”
She praised President Bola Tinubu for approving waivers on sanitary towels, noting that the decision reflects “his administration’s sensitivity to gender and public health concerns.”
“Women aged 15 to 49 constitute about 25 to 30 per cent of Nigeria’s population. It is therefore critical to ensure that menstruation does not hinder the rights, opportunities, or well-being of any woman or girl,” she added.
Also speaking, Fifi Ogbondeminu, acting country representative of Population Services International (PSI) Nigeria, described menstrual health as a human rights and development issue. “This policy is a step towards ensuring menstruation is addressed with dignity, empathy, and urgency,” she said.
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