Lagos, Jan. 29, 2026 (NAN) A Consultant Family Physician, Dr Samuel Ogba, has canvassed the need for the empowerment and training of religious leaders to bolster advocacy and uptake of family planning in Nigeria.
Ogba told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos that comprehensive acceptance of family had become imperative for improved maternal health outcome in the country.
He said that training and empowerment were necessary to equip religious leaders from diverse faiths, with the necessary skills and knowledge to champion family planning as a key component of maternal and child health within their respective communities.
He stated that faith-based/religious leaders were needed in family planning because several people believed them and were likely to follow what they said or advised.
According to him, by leveraging the trusted influence of religious institutions, there maybe high possiblity of positive behavioral change and increase in the uptake of family planning among the populace.
He said, “Religious leaders hold a unique position of trust and authority within their communities, making them powerful advocates for family planning.
“Research revealed that 66 per cent of women would consider family planning if encouraged by their religious leaders, yet only 40% of these leaders actively support it.
“So, empowering them is a crucial step in promoting effective integration of family planning messages into their religious teachings and outreach efforts, and ultimately improving the health and well-being of families across the country.”
While outlining the benefits of family planning, Ogba noted that family planning preserved health and reduced mortality rates, particularly deaths related to unsafe abortions.
According to him, family planning intends to promote a healthier society where parents could better provide for their children.
Contributing, a Child Health expert, Mrs Rose Mordi, underscored the role of the media in promoting advocacy for family planning.
Mordi, also the President , Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria (DSFN), pointed out how the media could amplify messages to reach diverse communities.
She decried that many children suffered due to inadequate care from parents who struggled to meet their basic needs.
She explained that family planning offered a practical solution, allowing individuals to manage resources responsibly and improve their children’s quality of life.
“Aligning family planning with shared health and family welfare values can drive positive change.
“By embracing family planning, we can better regulate family size and empower parents to support their children’s well-being,” she said.
Mordi, therefore , urged religious leaders to become champions for family planning, engaging communities through seminars, sermons, outreaches, and campaigns.
She highlighted the need for male involvement in family planning decisions for the betterment of families and communities.(NAN)
