The United Nations Children’s Fund expressed concern on Monday about the alarming rise in the number of adolescent mothers under the age of 18.
According to The PUNCH, the body also urged urgent and comprehensive intervention by governments at all levels, citing a committed investment of $1 billion in Nigeria over the next five years.
UNICEF Nigeria’s Chief of Health, Eduardo Celades, highlighted these concerns during a stakeholders’ forum on Adolescent and Youth Health Policies in Africa, themed “Fostering International Partnerships to Contribute to Adolescents’ and Youths’ Health in Nigeria.”
Celades emphasized that the crisis extends beyond substance abuse, encompassing broader issues such as insecurity, mental health challenges, malnutrition, and the impact of climate change.
He said, “We are facing a massive crisis affecting our adolescent population. One in 10 girls in Nigeria is projected to become a mother before the age of 18, with a disproportionate impact in the North Central and North-West regions, where 50 per cent of young girls, particularly in states like Bauchi and Gombe, are expected to have a child by the age of 18.
“Half of adolescent girls are unlikely to complete secondary school, and a staggering 43 per cent are already married. Of these, a significant portion has partners older than them, impacting their decision-making autonomy.
“In our analysis of the next five years’ strategy, adolescent issues were only mentioned 14 times in nearly 100 pages. This oversight has prompted a reevaluation, and UNICEF, along with the UN, has committed a $1bn investment in Nigeria over the next five years.
“In collaboration with university students, we are working on innovative approaches to enhance vaccine coverage. We believe that by empowering young people, we can drive meaningful results. Additionally, addressing mental health concerns among the youth, affecting 10 per cent is a priority in our agenda,” he stated.
