Pulse.ng : e-CAPH Champions Adolescent Health, Wellbeing in Kaduna

By Sani Idris Abdulrahman

A one-day stakeholders' roundtable on the Agenda for Action for Adolescents in Nigeria was held in Kaduna, bringing together 21 institutional partners and over 60 participants. The event aimed to advance adolescent health and development in the state.

The roundtable, organized by Enhancing Communities Action for Peace and Better Health Initiative (e-CAPH) in collaboration with Education as a Vaccine (EVA), featured discussions on key thematic areas such as sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence, access to education, youth participation, and mental health.

Government representatives made strategic commitments to improve adolescent health and wellbeing in Kaduna State. These commitments signal a growing recognition of the unique needs of adolescents and the urgency to institutionalize adolescent-centered interventions.

Mr. Umar Musa, social welfare, Ministry of Human Services and Social Development, acknowledged the growing burden on the ministry but emphasized that adolescent issues remain a priority. He committed to advocating for the reactivation of the State Adolescent Task Force.

The State Adolescent Task Force will help coordinate better and ensure that adolescent issues are addressed in a more structured manner. This development is expected to improve the overall wellbeing of adolescents in the state.

Hajiya Bahijja Auwal, Adolescent Health Focal Person, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), pushed for accountability from the state government, particularly on data and funding. She urged the Bureau of Statistics to collaborate closely with health and youth-serving institutions.

The goal is to develop a reliable adolescent data system, especially indicators that capture adolescent age 10-14 in the state data. Accurate and disaggregated data on adolescents is crucial for evidence-based planning.

A representative of the State Budget and Planning Commission, Malam Badamasi, emphasized the importance of parental engagement. He committed to mainstreaming adolescent health indicators in the 2026 planning cycle.

This will be achieved through alignment with the State Annual Operational Plan (AOP). The commission will also facilitate the actualization of adolescent-specific indicators in the state data by the state bureau of statistics.

The Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board (SPHCB) pledged to support the integration of adolescent-friendly services into existing primary health centers. This will include training health workers to provide non-judgmental and confidential adolescent care.

The Ministry of Education is committed to strengthening and introducing mental health clubs in all public secondary schools across Kaduna State. These clubs will serve as safe spaces for peer learning, mental health education, and support.

Participants identified challenges, including limited availability of key decision-makers, inadequate data on adolescents, weak coordination mechanisms, and resource constraints. To address these challenges, stakeholders proposed establishing and institutionalizing the Adolescent Health Technical Working Group.

The group will improve coordination, tracking of commitments, and integrated planning across sectors. Strengthening data systems and allocating a dedicated budget line for adolescent health are also crucial.

The roundtable concluded with a call to action for sustained advocacy and partnership to improve adolescent health and wellbeing in Kaduna State. Quarterly stakeholder dialogues will be held to track progress, share updates, and foster accountability.

These meetings will also allow young people to provide feedback directly to policymakers. Leveraging media and digital advocacy will amplify messages, showcase progress, and call for accountability from duty bearers.

The event featured structured plenary sessions, group discussions, and stakeholder reflections led by experienced facilitators. Participants, particularly young people, were actively involved in the agenda-setting process.

They contributed lived experiences, grassroots perspectives, and forward-thinking solutions. Contributions from government officials helped frame the discussion within the context of ongoing state-level planning efforts.

General feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. Many commended the youth-led nature of the event and the safe, respectful environment created for open dialogue.

Stakeholders expressed appreciation for the quality of facilitation, the relevance of the agenda, and the opportunity to network and form cross-sectoral partnerships.

Several participants noted the urgent need for data-driven planning, improved parental engagement, and better coordination of adolescent-focused initiatives in the state.

In their closing remarks, participants collectively called for the institutionalization of the Agenda for Action through the reactivation of the State Adolescent Health Task Force.

The State adolescent Health Committee at the State Primary Health Care Board and the State Planning and Budget Commission pledged to support advocacy for indicator specifically capturing adolescent data.

The next phase of engagement will involve formal follow-up with ministries and agencies, advocacy for budget allocation, data advocacy, capacity strengthening of frontline health workers, and community and parental engagement.

Leveraging existing networks, flexible planning, youth ambassadors, and collaboration with media helped adapt to changing schedules and reach wider audiences.

Establishing a functional Adolescent Health Technical Working Group will improve coordination and tracking of commitments. Strengthening data systems and allocating a dedicated budget line for adolescent health are also essential.

Continuous stakeholder engagement, increased investment in digital tools, and sustained advocacy will help overcome barriers related to stigma, access, and misinformation.

The stakeholders' commitment to advancing adolescent health and development in Kaduna State is a positive step towards a healthier and more prosperous future for adolescents.