Investing in the health of Nigerian youth is important to boost long-term prosperity of our nation. This includes a focus on adolescents’ mental, social, sexual and reproductive health. Since choices made at this point in their lives, such as early marriage, pregnancies, or risky sexual and social behaviors, will affect their future and which in returns, will affect the human community.
Nigeria being the most populous country in Africa with one of the largest populations of youth in the world has a very young population. According to the World Bank, the majority of Nigerian youth is below the age of 25 years while 22 percent are between the ages of 10-19 years. Data on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes in Nigeria highlight the importance of focusing on adolescents. At 576 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, Nigeria accounts for roughly 14 percent of the global burden of maternal mortality (DHS 2013/WHO 2014). Global evidence shows that young girls bear a higher burden of maternal mortality and morbidity. Data show that the average age at sexual debut is roughly 15 years of age among adolescent mothers in Nigeria (DHS 2003, 2008, 2013). The national adolescent fertility rate in Nigeria is 122 births per 1,000 women aged 15–19 years. In the north western states it is as high as 171 births per 1000 women aged 15-19 years. Green Future Builder Initiative (GFBI) uses holistic approach to address adolescent health in Nigeria.
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