The United Nations Children’s Fund has expressed concern over the high rate of home births and the limited attention given to adolescent sexual and reproductive health in Bauchi State.
At a two-day media engagement on adolescent well-being held in Bauchi, UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Dr. Nazhat Rafique—represented by UNICEF Health Officer Oluseyi Olosunde—warned that neglecting the health needs of adolescents poses a significant threat to the country’s development.
“The future of any nation depends on the foundation laid for its adolescents. If we fail to invest in their sexual and reproductive health today, we endanger Nigeria’s development prospects,” Rafique said.
She noted that three out of every 10 pregnant women in Bauchi still deliver at home, despite the risks associated with unsafe childbirth. Early pregnancy among adolescents, she added, remains alarmingly widespread.
Rafique stressed the need for targeted investments and stronger policy commitments to safeguard the health of young people, particularly adolescent girls who often lack the power to make decisions about their own bodies.
“Limited decision-making power among girls, coupled with widespread malnutrition and anaemia among adolescents, means stakeholders—including the media—must intensify efforts to promote awareness and positive behavioural change,” she said.
She commended journalists for their role in advancing child protection and nutrition, describing the media’s involvement as “consistent and intentional.”
The Gender Focal Person at the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Board, Amina Balali, identified the absence of a dedicated budget for adolescent health as a major barrier to quality service delivery.
“One of our biggest challenges is the lack of a dedicated budget line for adolescent health. Without it, we cannot adequately plan or deliver essential services,” Balali said.
She listed other constraints, including insufficient human resources, inadequate adolescent-friendly health centres, limited funding for supervision, and gaps in healthcare workers’ knowledge and attitudes.
Balali revealed that Bauchi’s adolescent pregnancy rate stands at 25.3% among girls aged 15 to 19.
“Adolescent well-being must become a priority. It is a critical determinant of our state’s and nation’s future,” she added.
UNICEF urged government at all levels, partners, and communities to work collectively to improve outcomes for adolescents.
“We must empower women, protect teenagers, and clearly define the roles of government, UNICEF, partners, and the media in safeguarding the health and rights of young people,” Rafique said.
