Ekiti State has recorded a 36 per cent reduction in teenage pregnancies and administered 181,464 doses of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to eligible adolescents since its introduction in 2023, as part of efforts to improve adolescent health and well-being.

The State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Oyebanji Filani, disclosed this on Monday during a press conference to commemorate the 2026 International Adolescent Health Week (IAHW) in Ado-Ekiti.

Filani attributed the progress to interventions in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), reproductive health education and improved access to family planning services, which have empowered adolescents to make informed decisions about their health.

The event, held at the Public Health Emergency Operational Centre (EOC) Data Bank Hall, State Secretariat, had the theme, “Nothing About Us Without Us: Power, Voice and Health Equity for All Adolescents.”

The commissioner reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to ensuring that every adolescent has access to quality, affordable, confidential and adolescent-friendly healthcare services, irrespective of gender, socioeconomic background, disability or location.

He explained that the government had collaborated with schools, healthcare professionals, development partners and community stakeholders to strengthen adolescent health interventions across the state.

According to him, the initiatives include the Safe Space Programme, which provides a supportive environment for public secondary school students, alongside peer-to-peer learning and capacity-building programmes for gender officers and school counsellors.

The State Adolescent Health Officer at the Ekiti State Ministry of Health and Human Services, Tolulope Adewemimo, emphasised the importance of involving young people in decisions concerning their health and well-being.

She noted that adolescent health programmes would be more effective when young people were actively involved in their planning and implementation.“Programs and policies designed to improve adolescent health and well-being should have adolescents at the forefront.

Decisions about their health should be made with them and by them,” Adewemimo said.Similarly, the Director of GoldHeart Foundation, Moyinoluwa Ogundowole, described adolescence as a crucial phase of human development, requiring deliberate attention to young people’s physical, emotional and social well-being.

Ogundowole called on stakeholders to amplify young people’s voices, promote their leadership and prioritise their holistic health, in line with the global theme of this year’s celebration.

She stressed the need to create an environment where adolescents could participate meaningfully in decisions affecting their lives and access the support and services required to thrive.

Filani acknowledged the contributions of development partners, civil society organisations and healthcare workers to the implementation of adolescent health programmes.

He also noted that community engagement had supported the successful introduction of HPV vaccination and improved coverage across the state’s 16 local government areas.

The commissioner urged parents and guardians to strengthen communication with adolescents by providing accurate health information, guidance and emotional support.

He stressed that young people needed supportive environments where they could discuss health concerns and personal challenges without fear of being judged or dismissed.

As part of activities marking the week, Filani announced plans for an adolescent health symposium and policy roundtable, radio and television discussions, medical outreach programmes, webinars, and writing and arts competitions.

He explained that the activities were designed to raise awareness, encourage adolescent participation and provide young people with opportunities to express their views on health issues affecting them.

The commissioner further urged stakeholders to ensure that adolescents were actively involved in decisions concerning their health and well-being rather than being treated merely as beneficiaries of government programmes.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji to building a healthy, resilient and prosperous population, adding that the Ministry of Health and Human Services would continue to collaborate with relevant partners to improve adolescents’ access to essential health information, healthcare services and support across Ekiti State.