Nigeria could have 700,000 unwanted pregnancies in 2023 – UNDP

The challenge of financing family planning in the country could lead to an increase in unwanted pregnancies and abortions, according to the United Nations Population Fund.

He said so at an event marking World Population Day 2023 organized by the National Population Commission in Abuja on Tuesday.

During a panel discussion titled "Dialogue on Financing and Investing in Family Planning: Meeting the Growing Demand of Nigerian Women", the Maternal and Reproductive Health Technical Specialist from the UNDP Dr. Adeela Khan said the funding gap for family planning is widening from $25 million last year to $32 million in 2023.

According to her, this funding shortfall would lead to 700,000 unwanted pregnancies, which would further lead to 300,000 unplanned births and 300,000 unsafe abortions.

She said, "The family planning program is very much dependent on funding, and funding is declining. In 2022, there was a gap of $25 million. This year, we are looking at a $32 million gap. What is very important about this gap is that if you close it, there will be 700,000 unintended pregnancies, resulting in approximately 300,000 unplanned births and 300,000 abortions at risk."

Khan, however, noted that the government has made efforts through policies, such as the National Policy for Population and Sustainable Development in 2022, and financial commitment to ensure planning family.

She added, "The Nigerian government has recognized the importance of investing in family planning."

Also speaking at the roundtable, an experienced public health practitioner, Dr. Gafar Alawode, said the increase in population in the country was alarming.

He added that the population was growing faster than the economy, which was detrimental.

Alawode said, "Nigeria produces every year the size of Liberia, Togo and maybe Sierra Leone combined. Why it's more dangerous is that our population is growing more faster than our economy. The implication is that the wealth does not increase, but the people who consume the wealth increase. This means that the share that goes to each individual is reduced. And Nigeria is already a capital of poverty . »

UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Natalia Kanem, who was represented by UNFPA Acting Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Erika Goldson, noted that 19% of married women in Nigeria could not exercise their right to make decisions, especially to have children.

She further highlighted the need to empower women, adding that such empowerment would benefit human capital and inclusive economic growth.

She said: “The realization of sexual and reproductive health and rights for all is the foundation of gender equality, dignity and opportunity. Nevertheless, more than 40% of women worldwide and 19% of married women in Nigeria cannot exercise their right to make such basic decisions as whether or not to have children. Empowering women and girls, including through education and access to modern contraception, helps support them in their aspirations and chart their own life paths.

“The promotion of gender equality is a cross-cutting solution to many population problems. In aging societies that worry about labor productivity, achieving gender parity in the workforce is the most effective way to improve output and income growth.

"Meanwhile, in countries experiencing rapid population growth, empowering women through education and family planning can bring enormous benefits in terms of human capital and inclusive economic growth. ."

In her remarks at the event, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's special health adviser, Dr. Salma Anas, acknowledged the implications of the country's growing population.

She said: "As we all know, population growth has far-reaching implications for socio-economic and environmental development. It is imperative to approach this issue with a holistic mindset One of the key aspects of sustainable development is investing in health and education.”