Condoms, Injectables, and Implants have emerged as the most commonly adopted family planning methods in Kwara State over the last three years, according to data released by The Challenge Initiative (TCI).
This was disclosed on Thursday during a media roundtable on family planning in Ilorin, themed: “Kwara Family Planning Progress: Sustaining Partnerships for Lasting Impacts.”
Speaking on behalf of the State Programme Manager, Dr. Adebayo Adefila, the TCI representative, Mr. Folusho Oyewale, revealed that 17,592 new users have adopted family planning methods in the state since TCI began operations in Kwara state in 2022.
He noted that TCI has invested over N45 million between 2022 and 2025 to support family planning initiatives in the state.
This investment includes the training of 65 master trainers and over 100 nurses and midwives to strengthen service delivery.
As TCI winds down its operations in Kwara, Adefila identified several persistent challenges affecting the sustainability of progress.
These include: commodity stock-outs, user fees in private health facilities, insecurity in some rural areas, and method preference constraints among clients.
In her welcome address, the Kwara State Family Planning Coordinator, Hajia Bashirat Jatto, represented by Mrs. Hajarat Olumo, highlighted the state's efforts to ensure regular commodity procurement, as well as targeted campaigns and high-impact trainings to increase uptake.
She lauded the supports received from the Kwara Ministry of Health and the state government in commodities availability, noting that the state is planning for its continuous availability.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Kwara State Family Planning Media Advocacy Group, Mr. Biola Azeez, shared the story of the group’s formation in February 2024.
He recalled that TCI, in collaboration with Development Communications Network (DevComs), trained selected journalists in the state on strategic family planning reporting, advocacy, and data use.
“At the end of the two-day capacity-building workshop, participants formed the Kwara Family Planning Media Advocacy Group, which has since been involved in sustained public awareness and advocacy across platforms,” Azeez said.
He called for increased government funding and intensified media engagement, especially in underserved rural communities, to amplify family planning adoption and outcomes.
Also speaking, the Devcoms Trainer, Mr Mayowa Adeniran, who represented DevComs at the gathering tasked media advocacy members on continuously beaming their searchlight on health-related issues, including family planning.
According to him, issues around family planning and health generally has not been fully explored and reported as expected by the media.
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