By Dare Akogun
A diverse gathering of public and private sector changemakers convened recently to chart practical pathways for building a robust ecosystem integrating primary healthcare, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), education, and economic empowerment for Nigeria’s adolescents.
The exclusive cocktail event emphasized the urgent need for collaboration between government and private-sector resources to create scalable and sustainable healthcare and education systems that meet the needs of Nigeria’s youth.
Setting the Tone for Action
Opening the evening, Professor Myriam Sidibe, Founder and Chief Mission Officer at Brands on a Mission, delivered a passionate call to action, emphasizing the pivotal role the private sector plays in tackling societal challenges.
“Adolescents are at the heart of Nigeria’s future,” she remarked. “Mobilising resources and innovative solutions to meet their needs today will lay the groundwork for a healthier, more empowered generation.”
With 70% of Nigeria’s population under the age of 35, discussions at the event revolved around leveraging cross-sector collaboration and digital innovation to empower adolescent girls and boys with the care, resources, and support they need to thrive.
Highlighting Urgent Needs
Atef Fawaz, Executive Director of eHealth Africa, underscored the need for immediate action, particularly for adolescent girls, noting that 43% of them marry before the age of 18, with many becoming mothers as teenagers.
“Investing in the health of Nigeria’s adolescent girls is not simply beneficial it’s essential.
“If we prioritise their health, we empower them to make informed choices, ensuring a healthier future for themselves and the nation.”
Dr. Karen Austrian, Director of the GIRL Center at Population Council, identified disparities faced by adolescent girls across wealth quintiles. She called for breaking down silos in health, education, and youth sectors while leveraging digital tools for scalable solutions. “Nigeria is a great place to lead the charge in integrating multi-dimensional systems into the digital space,” she said.
Digital Innovation as a Game Changer
Speakers at the event highlighted the transformative potential of digital health solutions. Dr. Josephine Ojiambo, Former Ambassador to the UN, described digital health as the future of healthcare delivery, offering opportunities to bridge gaps in adolescent healthcare.
Njide Ndili, Country Director at PharmAccess, emphasised the need for youth-centered digital health systems. “Few digital initiatives allow young people to shape their health futures and co-design systems that respond to their needs,” she observed.
She highlighted the Digital Transformations for Health Lab’s collaboration with youth across five continents to create digital-first health solutions.
Serah Malaba, Chief Impact Officer at Tiko, and Catherine Siebherhagen, Director of Implementation at Reach Digital Health, shared innovative approaches to using digital tools and platforms to engage adolescents, drive demand for services, and foster connections.
The event, co-hosted by eHealth Africa and Brands on a Mission (BOAM), brought together leading voices in public health, private sector innovation, and advocacy, including Population Council, Reach Digital Health, Tiko, and PharmAccess.
Participants reimagined adolescent health systems, focusing on addressing the unique challenges facing Nigeria’s youth and fostering a healthier, more empowered generation.
The dialogue reaffirmed the need for a unified approach to adolescent health and education, ensuring the systems in place today can scale sustainably for the future.
