Gem Hub Initiative, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) has called for urgent investment in Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) health, drawing national attention to the growing barriers faced by them in accessing essential health services.
The Organisation made the call in a statement commemorating the 2025 Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day tagged “Unaffordable health costs? We’re sick of it!”.
It noted that, while Nigeria had made notable policy commitments toward achieving UHC, millions of young people still struggle to obtain affordable, confidential, and youth-responsive care. Rising out-of-pocket costs, weak infrastructure, and persistent service gaps undermine progress particularly for adolescents, who remain one of the most underserved populations in the health system.
According to the statement, the Gem Hub Initiative conducted a rapid assessment of Youth-Friendly Health Services (YFHS) and an AGYW perception survey in Rivers State to illuminate the challenges that reflect broader national patterns. The findings mirrored what young people across the country continue to experience.
Key Findings from the Assessment
“High cost of care pushes AGYW away: Many young people cannot afford STI testing and treatment, especially those without insurance—forcing them to delay or avoid essential care.
“Critical SRH commodities are missing: Emergency contraception was absent across all assessed facilities, highlighting a nationwide supply and access challenge.
Service delivery gaps persist: Shortages of trained personnel, inconsistent application of YFHS guidelines, and unfriendly client experiences reduce trust in PHC services.
“Infrastructure remains a barrier: Poor road networks, seasonal flooding, irregular service hours, and unreliable power limit physical access to care.
“Low community and parental engagement: With many AGYW relying on parents for decision-making, minimal outreach efforts further reduce service uptake”.
The Organisation disclosed that a frontline provider shared a concern felt across many states: “AGYW need dedicated doctors and nurses. When they feel exposed, judged, or made to wait without privacy, they don’t return.”
Gem Hub Initiative therefore called on the
Federal and State Governments to distribute the National Guidelines for Integrating Youth-Friendly Health Services across all Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs), especially Youth-Friendly Centers and conduct refresher trainings on Adolescent- and Youth-Friendly Health Services (AYFHS) for PHC staff.
It also urged the governments to ensure consistent availability of essential commodities; particularly Emergency Contraceptives (EC), assign dedicated doctors (even on a rotational basis) to ensure AGYW receive confidential, uninterrupted care and update data tools to capture the 15–29 age group separately, avoiding aggregation with other demographics.
The Rivers State House of Assembly, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Finance were urged to increase investment in adolescent and youth health through clear, protected budget lines and timely releases that are used judiciously.
Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme were also asked to reduce the intended increase in annual insurance premium for adolescents and young people to improve affordability and enrollment.
Furthermore, Gem Hub Initiative tasked Civil Society Organizations and Community Structures to support integrated, youth-focused outreach activities to extend services to underserved AGYW, promote accountability by demanding quality and responsiveness in youth-friendly facilities and support resource mobilization to enroll AGYW in poor communities under the state health insurance.
Ward Development Committees / Officers-In-Charge were urged to provide accessibility infrastructure for adolescents with disabilities; ramps, sign language capacity, and inclusive communication tools.
They were also to mobilize local resources to improve facility infrastructure: roads, beds, water, power (including solar alternatives), conduct routine youth-focused outreach within communities and ensure Youth-Friendly Centers maintain proper records of AGYW aged 15–29 accessing services.
To Adolescent Girls and Young Women, Boys and Young Men the CSO said:
“Embrace healthy habits. Adopt positive daily practices, seek accurate information, protect yourself from infections, prioritize your wellbeing, and take early action when something feels off. Your health is your power.
“Seek care and support confidently. Visit Primary Health Care centers when you have questions or concerns. Ask health workers for guidance and use trusted SRH, HIV, TB, malaria, and general health services.
Enroll in health insurance.
“Sign up for the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (or the scheme available in your state) to reduce health costs and access essential services without financial pressure”.
Gem Hub Initiative is a youth-focused non-profit organization dedicated to improving the wellbeing, voice, and opportunities of adolescents and young adults across Nigeria. Through evidence generation, advocacy, capacity building, and community-driven programs, Gem Hub works to ensure that young people, including adolescent girls and young women have equitable access to information, health services, and platforms to thrive.
