The Federal Government has renewed its campaign against harmful gender norms, warning that entrenched social expectations continue to expose Nigerian adolescents to violence, early pregnancy, discrimination and poor health outcomes.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, made the call at the 2026 Gender and Inclusion Summit and National Dialogue on Transforming Gender Norms for Adolescent Health and Wellbeing in Abuja.
Salako said Nigeria needed stronger policies, financing and implementation mechanisms capable of translating commitments on gender and adolescent health into measurable improvements in young people’s lives.
He argued that cultural expectations that restrict adolescents’ choices can affect their access to healthcare, education, safety and economic opportunities.
The minister said harmful gender norms can reinforce discrimination and increase vulnerability to gender-based violence and early pregnancy.
According to Premium Times, Salako said the Federal Government had been expanding adolescent health programmes and strengthening access to services, including family planning, sexually transmitted infection and HIV prevention, counselling and other sexual and reproductive health services.
The government has also developed the National Sexual and Reproductive Health Policy 2025–2030, while establishing a dedicated Gender and Adolescent Programmes and Adolescent Health Department within the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Salako said evidence from a new study on gender norms, attitudes, health and wellbeing would help government and development partners design more effective interventions.
The study examines issues including child and forced marriage, gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health, HPV vaccination and women’s economic empowerment.
The minister stressed that data should guide policy rather than allowing interventions to be driven solely by assumptions about the needs of young Nigerians.
Nigeria’s large youth population makes adolescent health a significant public-policy issue, with decisions taken during adolescence often affecting education, employment, family life and long-term health.
The Federal Government said it would continue working with relevant stakeholders to ensure that policies reach vulnerable young people and address the social conditions that contribute to poor health outcomes.