By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko, Ibadan
The Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN) has called on the Federal and State Governments, including the Federal Capital Territory, to adopt Comprehensive Life-Skills and Health Education (CLHE) across secondary schools nationwide.
The organisation also urged Secondary Education Boards, Teaching Service Commissions and other stakeholders to scale up CLHE as a value-sensitive life-skills programme in secondary schools.
The PPFN South-West Regional Coordinator, Mrs Elizabeth Abimbola, made the call on Tuesday at a CLHE dissemination of findings meeting, in Ibadan.
Abimbola urged governments to provide policy support, adequate teacher deployment and dedicated instructional time, while integrating CLHE into school curricula as a compulsory subject for all students.
She also stressed the need for sustained collaboration between PPFN and the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) to improve adolescent health outcomes in Nigeria.
Abimbola said many adolescents still faced challenges accessing accurate, age-appropriate and value-sensitive information on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).
She noted that although Population/Family Life Education and later Comprehensive Sexuality Education were introduced to address those gaps, cultural and religious resistance limited their effectiveness.
She said CLHE was developed to balance societal values with adolescents’ developmental needs, equipping young people with life skills to make informed decisions and adopt healthier behaviours.
Abimbola said PPFN had implemented CLHE in several states mainly as an extracurricular activity, recording positive outcomes but facing sustainability challenges.
She explained that the organisation conducted a study using intervention and control groups to identify more effective and sustainable models for school-based CLHE delivery.
She added that endline assessments measured changes in students’ knowledge, attitudes and practices, while focus group discussions provided insights into programme experiences and acceptability.
Abimbola identified challenges such as irregular attendance, limited teaching time due to crowded timetables, and staff transfers affecting programme continuity.
Also speaking, Mr Adebayo Salam, Permanent Secretary and Inspector-General of Education, Ibadan Zonal Education Inspectorate 3, stressed the need for mentorship to support adolescents, especially girls.
Represented by Miss Latifat Jimoh, Salam urged stakeholders to collaborate in addressing moral decadence, adolescent abuse and restoring values within the education sector.
A representative of the Oyo State Ministry of Health, Mr Adeola Ebenezer, blamed rising social vices on the negative and uncontrolled use of social media by teenagers.
He called on stakeholders and governments to develop strategies to curb harmful social media use among adolescents.
A student of Orita Mefa Baptist School, Ibadan, Miss Oluwafunmito Alabi, said CLHE boosted her confidence and helped her resist negative peer pressure.
She said the programme helped her appreciate her self-worth and made positive life choices. (NAN)
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