Adamawa Govt Urged to Increase Funding for Family Planning Program
From Umar Dankano, Yola
The Adamawa State Government has been urged to increase its budgetary allocation for the implementation of family planning initiatives in the state.
This call was made by stakeholders during a one-day media dialogue organized by Development Communications (DevComs) in collaboration with The Challenge Initiative (TCI), held in Yola on Thursday.
The meeting aimed to promote modern strategies for strengthening family planning programs.
In his remarks, the Program Manager of TCI, Mr. Godiya Yusuf, emphasized the importance of collaboration with the media, health experts, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other key partners in raising awareness about the benefits of family planning in society.
He advocated for more sensitization and awareness campaigns to bridge the information gap on the effectiveness of family planning in driving both social and economic development.
Yusuf commended the efforts of the state’s Family Planning Media Advocacy Group, noting a significant increase in the number of family planning acceptors and users of modern contraceptives since 2022.
He disclosed that the number of acceptors recorded in 2022 stood at 47,980, while 19,024 people were using modern contraceptives at that time.
He further explained that by the second quarter of 2025, specifically in June, the state had recorded 104,486 new acceptors, representing 40% of the initiative’s target, with 79,764 users of modern contraceptives, accounting for 78% of the program’s objectives.
In her presentation, Aisha Garba Abubakar, the State Family Planning Focal Person, highlighted the critical role of childbirth spacing in reducing maternal and child mortality.
She called on the media to intensify efforts in addressing myths and misconceptions surrounding family planning, which are often rooted in religious and cultural beliefs.
She emphasized that “pregnancy should be planned by choice, not by chance”, underscoring the need to protect women’s reproductive rights.
Abubakar lamented that inadequate funding remains a major challenge for the family planning program in the state. Although ₦130 million was allocated to the program in 2025, she noted that it is insufficient to cover commodities and consumables needed for the initiative.
She called on the government to increase funding, especially in light of the state’s growing population.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health and Human Development, Chief Felix Tangwami, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Pharmacist Zirra Babani, commended the collaboration with development partners.
He acknowledged that the media’s advocacy has been instrumental in dispelling myths hindering the adoption of family planning.
He assured stakeholders of the government’s continued support, noting that the Annual Operational Plan (AOP) for the program has already been approved.
