Kwara records surge in family planning uptake — TCI reveals

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin –

The Challenge Initiative (TCI) has disclosed that condoms, injectable contraceptives, and implants are the most preferred family planning methods among clients in Kwara State over the last three years.

The State Program Manager, Dr. Adebayo Adefila, made this known at the Kwara State media roundtable on family planning, themed “Kwara Family Planning Progress: Sustaining Partnerships for Lasting Impacts”, held in Ilorin on Thursday. Represented by Mr. Folusho Oyewale, Adefila revealed that the state recorded 17,592 new family planning users within the period.

He noted that TCI injected over N45 million between 2022 and 2025 to support family planning activities in the state. The funds were used to train 65 master trainers and over 100 nurses and midwives to strengthen service delivery.

As the TCI program winds down in Kwara, Adefila identified challenges such as stock-outs, user fees in private health facilities, insecurity in parts of the state, and client method preferences as key obstacles faced during its operations.

In her welcome address, the State Family Planning Coordinator, Hajia Bashirat Jatto, represented by Mrs. Hajarat Olumo, said the government continues to ensure regular procurement of commodities and conducts high-impact training and campaigns to increase client uptake.

Chairman of the Kwara State Media Advocacy Group, Biola Azeez, recalled that the group was formed in February 2024 after TCI, in collaboration with Devcoms, organized a capacity-building workshop for selected journalists in the state.

He explained that members of the group were trained in advocacy, information dissemination, and data-driven reporting on family planning, which led to the formation of the Kwara State Family Planning Media Group.

Azeez called for increased funding and more media engagement, particularly in rural areas, to sustain the gains made in promoting family planning awareness and uptake across the state.