Lagos, March 8, 2026 (NAN) In commemoration of International Women’s Day, Nigerian women are speaking out about a critical issue affecting their health and wellbeing: lack of research funding for women’s health issues.
The women spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.
Dr Aisha Ibrahim, a 45-year-old gynaecologist who’s seen countless women struggle with fibroids, a condition that disproportionately affects Nigerian women, called for better treatment and research funding.
“We need better surgical techniques and more research to improve survival rates and reduce complications, especially in many public health facilities.
“Many women have undergone multiple surgeries for recurrent fibroids and some have even lost their lives. We need to do better as a nation.
“Fibroid care such as myomectomy and hysterectomy should be included under the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to cover costly treatments and save the lives of many women silently battling this condition.”
Ibrahim emphasised that investing in women’s health isn’t just a moral imperative but a smart investment in Nigeria’s future.
Similarly, Ms Nkechi Adejumo, a banker, called for better imaging techniques that would reduce discomfort and pain many women experience during mammogram tests.
“Many women experience sharp pain and discomfort during the squeezing of the breast tissue between two plates during imaging.
“I dread these annual screenings but being health-conscious, I submit myself to them to ensure that I’m safe from breast cancer.
”The world has advanced with medicine, and as women, we deserve life-saving solutions that are pain-free. We urge our scientists to help us with this innovation,” she said.
Mammogram is a type of breast imaging that uses low-dose x-rays to detect cancer early – before women experience symptoms – when it is most treatable.
Physicians recommend annual mammograms for women from 45 years of age, however, women with high-risk are recommended to start earlier, in their 30s or 40s.
“We’re not just asking for better healthcare, we’re asking for investment in our future,” says activist and breast cancer survivor, Toyin Adekanmi.
For Mrs Noimat Adeteju, a petty trader at Mile 12 Market, access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) is critical to improving their health and standard of living.
“Access to clean water is a daily struggle for many families in this area. We are forced to rely on unreliable community sources or expensive vendors which takes a toll on our meagre funds.
“Lack of water and the dirty environment expose us to various diseases. We urge the government to intervene by providing these critical amenities.”
Further speaking, Mrs Yetunde Olowonishaye, an interior decorator, called for more awareness and investment in menopause care across the country to enhance women’s health issues.
“Many of us women facing pre- and post menopausal conditions have found our complaints dismissed by medical professionals, leading to years of inattentive care and misdiagnosis.
“Women’s health issues have long been invisible, underdiagnosed, under-researched, and underfunded for years.
“If the government invests in our health, we will contribute more to our families and the economy,” she said.
Olowonishaye added that supporting women’s health initiatives would lead to long-term benefits, including reduced maternal mortality, improved child health, and increased economic productivity.
NAN reports that International Women’s Day is celebrated annually on March 8, with this year’s theme as “Give to Gain”.
Focusing on investing in women through resources, education, and mentorship to create a stronger, more equitable society. (NAN)
