Oyo Targets Improved Family Planning Services

The Oyo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening family planning services, increasing government ownership and ensuring sustainable healthcare delivery across the state.

The Executive Secretary of the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Dr Muideen Olatunji, disclosed this at a bi-annual stakeholders’ coordination meeting organised by the state Ministry of Health and the board in collaboration with the Society for Family Health.

Olatunji said the changing funding landscape had made it necessary for government to strengthen its institutions and take greater responsibility for sustaining essential health programmes.

He said the state invested N50 million in family planning commodities in 2025 and had earmarked another N50 million for 2026 to ensure continued availability of essential commodities and prevent disruptions in service delivery.

He added that the government had recruited nearly 4,000 healthcare personnel to strengthen the health workforce, particularly at the primary healthcare level.

According to him, Ward Development Committees across the state’s 351 political wards were also being used to promote community participation and increase awareness of family planning services.

Representing the state ALGON Chairman, Hon. Sikiru Sanda, the Vice Chairman, Hon. Olayanju Kazeem, called for greater awareness of family planning among women and families.

He stressed the importance of providing accurate information to enable individuals to make informed decisions, particularly amid prevailing economic challenges.

The Iya Loja of Ibadanland, Alhaja Oyinlola Amiringun, also called for sustained sensitisation and training of market women on family planning, noting that inadequate information and limited literacy could affect women’s understanding and use of available services.

The Society for Family Health’s Delivering Innovation in Self-Care 2.0 team disclosed that more than 1,000 healthcare workers from 573 health facilities had been trained on family planning and counselling.

The team said the training equipped healthcare workers to address myths and misconceptions about family planning methods and provide accurate information to clients.

An assessment presented at the meeting showed that Oyo recorded 65.2 per cent institutional readiness for family planning, while nine local government areas had incorporated key activities into their routine programmes.

Ibarapa North, Saki West and another local government area were, however, identified as requiring further strengthening.

The stakeholders stressed the need for stronger coordination, sustained investment and effective community engagement, saying family planning should remain an integral part of the state’s primary healthcare system through adequate commodities, quality counselling, community participation, reliable data and accountability.