The Lagos State Government has encouraged adolescents to speak up about their health needs and participate in decisions affecting their well-being, reaffirming its commitment to equitable access to quality, youth-friendly healthcare services.
The call was made during the 2026 International Adolescent Health Week commemoration at Campos Mini Stadium, Lagos Island, with the theme, “Nothing About Us Without Us: Power, Voice and Health Equity for All Adolescents.”
The event brought together government officials, healthcare professionals, students and development partners to discuss adolescent health, menstrual hygiene education and young people’s participation in healthcare decisions.
Lagos Government Promotes Adolescent Participation
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide, said adolescents should be active partners in shaping health policies and programmes, particularly those addressing mental health, nutrition, menstrual hygiene and reproductive health.
Lajide encouraged young people to seek reliable health information and make use of available counselling and screening services.
“Your voice remains your currency. Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness,” she said.
She stressed the importance of creating an environment where adolescents could express their concerns and access appropriate healthcare without fear or discrimination.
The Director of Family Health and Nutrition at the ministry, Dr. Abosede Wellington, and the Head of the Gender, Adolescent and School Health Division, Dr. Olasumbo Ayeni, also emphasised the need to listen to young people and develop health interventions that reflect their needs.
Lagos Island East LCDA Pledges Support
Representing the Executive Chairman of Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area, Hon. Muibi Alade Folawiyo, Dr. Tajudeen Olaotan pledged continued collaboration to improve school health programmes and expand access to youth-friendly services.
The collaboration, stakeholders noted, is important to ensuring that adolescents receive appropriate health information and services at school and within their communities.
Foundation Reaches 26 Schools With Menstrual Health Support
Meanwhile, Vcare Development Foundation, with support from Stelling Oil Group, reported progress in its efforts to improve menstrual health education and access to hygiene products among adolescents.
The foundation said its interventions had reached 26 schools, with 4,710 peer-sharing sessions conducted to promote awareness and information sharing among young people.
It also reported distributing 4,265 menstrual health booklets and more than 6,000 packs of sanitary pads.
In addition, the foundation said it had trained more than 100 adolescents to produce reusable sanitary pads, equipping them with practical skills while promoting menstrual hygiene awareness.
Softcare Nigeria also reaffirmed its commitment to promoting hygiene, comfort and confidence among young people.
Stakeholders Emphasise Equitable Healthcare
The commemoration highlighted the importance of adolescent participation in healthcare planning and the need to make reliable health information accessible to young people.
Stakeholders stressed that addressing adolescent health requires sustained collaboration among government agencies, healthcare providers, schools, development organisations and the private sector.
The Lagos State Government reiterated its commitment to health equity, adolescent participation and menstrual hygiene education, with the event reinforcing the need to place young people’s voices at the centre of decisions affecting their health and well-being.
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