By Joy Salami, Lokoja
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in partnership with the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), has launched the Family Planning (FP) Commodity Financing Project in Kogi State to improve access to reproductive health commodities and strengthen family planning services across the state.
The event, held in Lokoja, brought together key stakeholders from the Kogi State Ministry of Health, development partners, and implementing agencies to discuss ways of closing funding gaps and ensuring a steady supply of family planning commodities.
Speaking at the meeting, Amaka Anene, the National Programme Analyst for UNFPA, explained that the initiative forms part of UNFPA’s broader commitment to achieving its transformative goals of ending the unmet need for family planning, preventable maternal deaths, and gender-based violence.
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She said the initiative was part of ongoing efforts to make family planning services more accessible and sustainable.
Anene revealed that access to family planning services remains a critical component of Nigeria’s reproductive health agenda, noting that UNFPA plays a central role in supporting both federal and state governments through procurement, capacity building, and technical assistance.
According to her, UNFPA works closely with the government and partners to ensure a steady supply of family planning commodities across the country, emphasizing that major funding gaps still exist. Currently, Nigeria faces a 53 percent shortfall in family planning commodity financing.
She explained that the new partnership aims to strengthen local financing, improve coordination, and ensure that women and families can access quality and affordable family planning services at all times.
“Our goal is to make sure these commodities are available where they are needed most,” she added.
The Kogi State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adams Abdulaziz, appreciated UNFPA, CIFF, and other partners for their continuous support to the state’s health sector. He noted that the availability of family planning commodities remains key to improving maternal health and promoting responsible parenthood.
Family planning is one of the most effective ways to reduce maternal deaths and improve family well-being, he said, adding that, With the support from UNFPA and CIFF, we can strengthen our service delivery and ensure these commodities reach the right people.
Dr. Abdulaziz assured that the state government would continue to work with partners to improve access to reproductive health services and ensure the proper utilization of the commodities provided.
The government is committed to supporting family planning programs to succeed. We will do everything possible to sustain this effort, he said.
The Family Planning Commodity Financing Project is expected to help reduce stock-outs, promote sustainable financing, and improve access to modern contraceptives for women and families across Kogi State.
