Yola: The Challenge Initiative (TCI), a non-governmental organization, has called on the Adamawa Government to maintain the progress of family planning (FP) interventions that have resulted in 29,000 new users from January 2023 to June 2025. Dr. Taiwo Johnson, TCI Chief of Party, made this appeal during a stakeholders’ meeting held Thursday in Yola, themed ‘Transitioning Adamawa State to Self-Reliance in Family Planning.’
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Johnson, represented by TCI Senior Executive Dr. Dorcas Akila, praised the successes achieved and urged the government to continue the program as it nears completion in the state. She highlighted that TCI implemented the initiative across 22 states, including Adamawa, which has emerged as one of the top performers. She further noted that over 1.7 million individuals have begun adopting FP strategies for healthier family lives.
Dr. Johnson emphasized the three-year partnership with the Adamawa Government, aimed at achieving self-reliance by scaling up FP efforts. She urged the government to independently plan, finance, implement, and sustain FP programs without external support. She stressed the need for political and financial commitment to ensure policy implementation, accountability, advocacy, and coordination.
The TCI initiative involved a financial commitment of N93.4 million, while the Adamawa Government contributed FP commodities worth N28 million in 2024. During the transition phase, TCI pledged to continue collaborating with the state to maintain demand generation, service delivery, and robust data management.
Dr. Suleiman Bashir, Executive Chairman of the Adamawa Primary Healthcare Development Agency, praised TCI, describing the partnership as a unique opportunity that enhanced FP service delivery in the state. He noted that over 600,000 people were reached through various innovations and expressed the government’s commitment to sustaining all components of the program.
Mrs. Aisha Abubakar, FP Focal Person at the State Ministry of Health, reported that 30 health facilities across nine LGAs, including Yola North, Gombi, Fufore, Michika, Demsa, and Maiha, benefited from the program. She stated that prior to the intervention in 2022, the state recorded 47,980 FP acceptors, with an additional 69,094 clients since the program’s implementation.
The District Head of Girei, Dr. Ahmad Musdafa, represented by Malam Sanusi Yahaya, commended TCI for raising awareness in rural communities about the safety and effectiveness of FP services. He noted that this awareness is contributing to improved family health, economic conditions, and overall wellbeing, leading to increased acceptance of FP commodities.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the event was organized by TCI in collaboration with Development Communications Network (DevComs), bringing together stakeholders from the health sector, media, and traditional and religious institutions. TCI also recognized and honored FP champions, including religious and traditional leaders, for their contributions to the success of the interventions.