By Ayomide Otitoju
The Lagos State Government has urged adolescents to speak up about their health needs and participate in decisions affecting their well-being, reaffirming its commitment to accessible, youth-friendly healthcare.
The call was made on Wednesday, October 14, during the commemoration of International Adolescent Health Week at Campos Mini Stadium, Lagos Island, with the theme, “Nothing About Us Without Us: Power, Voice and Health Equity for All Adolescents.”
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Dayo Lajide, said adolescents must be actively involved in shaping health policies and programmes, particularly those addressing mental health, nutrition, menstrual hygiene and reproductive health.
“Decisions about your future and health should not be made without listening to your voices and considering your opinions,” Lajide said.
She said the government was expanding youth-friendly services through the Directorate of Family Health and Nutrition and the Gender, Adolescent and School Health Division, stressing that every adolescent deserved quality healthcare and reliable information, regardless of location or school status.
Lajide urged participants to take advantage of the free counselling and screening services available at the event, adding that seeking help was a sign of strength.
Earlier, the Director of Family Health and Nutrition, Dr Abosede Wellington, said adolescents faced challenges including mental health concerns, sexual and reproductive health needs, menstrual hygiene issues and gender-based violence.
She said the event featured discussions, open-mic sessions, counselling and health screenings to help young people make informed decisions about their health.
The Head of the Gender, Adolescent and School Health Division, Dr Olasumbo Ayeni, called for greater adolescent participation in designing health programmes to ensure services reflected their actual needs.
Representing the Executive Chairman of Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area, Muibi Alade Folawiyo, the council’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr Tajudeen Olaotan, pledged continued collaboration with the state Ministry of Health to strengthen school health programmes and improve youth-friendly services at primary healthcare centres.
He also highlighted plans to expand opportunities for youth engagement and skills development.
Meanwhile, the Communications Manager of Vcare Development Foundation, Oluwatobiloba Akerele, said the organisation, with support from Stelling Oil Group, had reached 26 schools through its menstrual health education initiatives.
According to her, the programme had conducted 4,710 peer-sharing sessions, distributed 4,265 educational booklets and more than 6,000 packs of sanitary pads, while training over 100 adolescents to produce reusable sanitary pads.
A representative of Softcare Nigeria, Micheal Osaona, also stressed the importance of access to quality hygiene products in supporting adolescents’ confidence, comfort and participation in education.
The event brought together government officials, healthcare professionals, students and development partners, who called for stronger collaboration to ensure adolescents have access to appropriate healthcare, reliable information and opportunities to influence decisions affecting their well-being.
