Image: Dr. Ayodela Ademola
Medical experts in Nigeria have expressed deep concern over the Federal Government’s drastic 97 per cent reduction in the family planning budget for 2025, warning that it could trigger a surge in unplanned pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and sexually transmitted infections nationwide.
The allocation, which dropped from N2.2 billion in 2024 to just N66.39 million in 2025, has been described as a major setback to reproductive health services for women, especially in rural and underserved areas where the budget slash may hinder the availability and accessibility of free contraceptive services at public health centres, where many women rely on government-supplied family planning commodities.
They noted that with the current economic hardship, coupled with rising poverty and food insecurity, the reduced funding may further push vulnerable women into risky sexual behaviours without access to proper protection or counselling.
In a separate interview with PUNCH Healthwise, women’s reproductive health experts warned that the decision could undermine Nigeria’s already fragile progress in curbing maternal mortality. They stressed that reproductive health is a fundamental right and called on the government to urgently reconsider the allocation in the interest of public health and national development.
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Chris Aimakhu at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, said that despite the initial funding before the cut, awareness of family planning among the populace was low. He added that with the reduced budget, the supply of contraceptives, which are free for the people, would be affected. “As a matter of fact, some areas have already been deprived,” he said. “When you look at it, Nigeria, even with current family planning access, already has one of the worst maternal mortality rates. So that will definitely increase. There are other consequences too, like more single mothers, babies without proper parental support, and social instability. So yes, the danger of not having enough funds is a big problem,” he said.
He also pointed out the likelihood of an increase in pregnancy rates and population growth. “The growth rate in family size is increasing, and when you pair that with our economic crisis, the outcome is troubling. People will not be able to feed their children, provide shelter, or even get them to school. We already know families spend so much just trying to survive and access basic services,” he said. “If they have more children, they won’t be able to take care of them. Jobs will be a problem in the long run, because jobs are not being created, and education will decline because people can’t afford it.
Consultant Gynaecologist, Dr. Ayodele Ademola, stressed that it is the right of women to have access to free contraceptives and other family planning commodities and services. “As an advocate of women’s health, the main cry is: it is the right of women to have adequate access to all services that relate to maternal health, including family planning and contraception. And the reason is because contraception and family planning services have been proven to be viable alternatives to unwanted pregnancies, which are still very rampant in our environment. Remember, abortion is criminalised in this country. But if you don’t want people to have unwanted pregnancies and subsequent abortions, then you should be able to provide adequate contraceptives. There is no doubt about that. Not only is it desirable across the world, it is recommended especially in a complex society like ours.”
SOURCE: Healthwise Punch NG, by Idowu Abdullahi. 24 August 2025.