Teenage pregnancy remains a major public health concern in Nigeria, with northern states such as Kebbi State, Zamfara State, and Kaduna State recording the highest prevalence.
This was revealed in the 2025 State of Health of the Nation Report, released on Sunday in Abuja under the provisions of the National Health Act (Nigeria). The report assessed adolescent reproductive health trends across the country and highlighted growing regional disparities.
According to the findings, about 32 percent of girls aged 15–19 in Kebbi have experienced pregnancy, while Zamfara and Kaduna recorded about 30 percent each. In contrast, states like Lagos State and Edo State reported significantly lower rates of around three percent.
The data, sourced from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2024, underscores wide regional gaps and the need for targeted policies to improve adolescent reproductive health nationwide.
The report warns that teenage pregnancy raises the risk of maternal and child illness and death, while also contributing to social challenges such as school dropout among adolescent girls, particularly in high-risk states.
Education was identified as a major protective factor. Pregnancy rates were 34 percent among girls with no formal education, compared to only four percent among those with education beyond secondary school, demonstrating the strong link between education and reduced teenage pregnancy.
To address these issues, the 2025 health sector expanded adolescent-focused programmes aimed at improving reproductive health outcomes and advancing Universal Health Coverage. Efforts included strengthening primary healthcare services and expanding community outreach initiatives.
The report noted increased investment in adolescent-friendly services at primary healthcare centres, including family planning, HIV prevention, and treatment of sexually transmitted infections. Community health workers were also engaged to provide counselling and selected family planning services, particularly in remote communities.
Additionally, school- and community-based water, sanitation, and hygiene programmes were strengthened to support adolescent well-being and reduce preventable infections.
Encouragingly, improvements were recorded in menstrual hygiene management, with 95 percent of adolescent girls reporting they could wash and change privately at home, while 94 percent used appropriate menstrual materials.
However, the report raised concerns about mental health and substance abuse among adolescents, noting rising use of alcohol and drugs such as tramadol and cannabis, especially among secondary school students.
It estimated that young people aged 10–24 make up about 32 percent of Nigeria’s population, yet they carry a significant burden of mental health conditions, particularly depression and anxiety.
Government responses include integrating mental health services into HIV programmes and implementing policies such as the National Policy on the Health and Development of Adolescents, which promotes youth-friendly mental health services, early intervention, prevention, and stigma reduction.
Efforts were further reinforced during awareness campaigns such as World Mental Health Day and International Adolescent Health Week in 2025.
The report highlighted collaboration among the Federal Ministry of Health Nigeria, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, World Health Organization, and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, alongside civil society groups, to tackle substance abuse and strengthen adolescent health services.
Some states, including Kaduna State, have also launched school- and community-based programmes aimed at improving mental health awareness, building resilience, and helping adolescents cope with stress, substance use, and other psychosocial challenges.
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