By Erewunmi Peace

The Federal Government of Nigeria has revealed that 15% of teenage girls in the country are either mothers or currently pregnant. This statistic was highlighted during the validation and adoption of Nigeria’s first National Policy on Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management.

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, emphasized that the figure reflects a growing concern over adolescent reproductive health and gender inequality. According to the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), approximately 22.2% of Nigerian girls aged 15–19 had already begun childbearing or were pregnant, with regional disparities showing higher rates in northern states compared to the south.

The government stressed the importance of comprehensive policies and interventions to address teenage pregnancy, improve access to reproductive health services, and support adolescent girls in completing their education.

Experts say that tackling teenage pregnancy requires a multi-sectoral approach, including education, healthcare access, and community awareness programs.