Tag Archive for: Poverty In Nigeria

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Improving Access to Health Care for Marginalized Groups in Nigeria

Marginalized Groups in Nigeria
Nigeria, despite its significant economic potential, faces severe health care challenges, particularly in marginalized communities. About 40% of Nigerians live in poverty, limiting their access to quality health care services. Addressing these disparities is critical to improving access to health care for marginalized groups in Nigeria.

Barriers to Health care Access

  1. Insufficient Primary Health Centers (PHCs): In rural communities where disease burden is high, many primary health centers (PHCs) are either non-functional or under-equipped. This is a significant barrier, as PHCs are the main access points for health care in rural areas. The absence of functioning PHCs means that patients either go without care or must travel long distances, often to urban areas, to receive treatment.
  2. Out-of-Pocket Payments: Around 90% of Nigerians pay for health care services out of pocket, placing an enormous financial burden on poor families. This creates a cycle where poverty exacerbates poor health, and poor health leads to further poverty. According to the International Journal of Health and Management, catastrophic health expenditures have driven many households deeper into poverty. Only about 3% of Nigeria’s population has health insurance, and most of this coverage is employer-provided, leaving low-income earners and rural populations particularly vulnerable.
  3. Corruption and Mismanagement: Corrupt practices, which drain resources meant for public health facilities, worsen the inefficiency of Nigeria’s health care system. Funds intended for PHCs and other health services are often misappropriated, resulting in dilapidated facilities and a lack of essential medications and staff.

Here are some strategies for improving health care access.

Mobile Health Clinics

Bringing health care directly to communities is one effective solution to overcome physical barriers. Mobile health clinics and telemedicine services allow health care providers to reach remote or rural populations, reducing the need for travel and ensuring that patients receive care without excessive costs. For example, in states like Kaduna and Lagos, the government, in partnership with non-governmental organizations, has deployed mobile health units to provide essential health services such as maternal care, vaccinations and treatment for common diseases like malaria and tuberculosis. These clinics travel to remote areas, reaching populations that lack access to functioning PHCs.

This directly tackles the issue of insufficient primary health centers and ensures health care is more accessible, improving access to health care for marginalized groups in Nigeria. Mobile clinics have proven effective in bridging the gap in healthcare delivery by providing both preventive and curative services to Nigeria’s rural and underserved populations.

Insufficient Primary Health Centers

To tackle the lack of functioning PHCs, Nigeria must prioritize their revitalization. Strengthening these facilities can significantly improve access to health care for rural populations as they are the first point of contact for most vulnerable populations. 

The Basic Health care Provision Fund (BHCPF), a key initiative under the 2014 National Health Act, aims to ensure every Nigerian has access to a minimum package of health care services, particularly at the primary care level. 

However, inconsistent funding and state-level delays in implementation have limited its effectiveness. Ensuring that states contribute their share of the funds and improving oversight are essential to making the BHCPF work.

Expanding Micro Health Insurance

To reduce the reliance on out-of-pocket payments, micro health insurance has emerged as a solution tailored to the needs of low-income populations.

Providers like WellaHealth offer affordable packages that cover common illnesses such as malaria and typhoid, with access to doctors through telemedicine. These insurance models are particularly promising for rural and underserved communities, offering a pathway to affordable health care without the risk of financial ruin. They are part of the key to improving access to health care for marginalized groups in Nigeria. 

Addressing Corruption

Tackling corruption in the health care system is critical. Strengthening governance, improving transparency in the disbursement of health care funds, and increasing community oversight are necessary steps to ensure that resources intended for health care reach the people who need them most.

Improving access to health care for marginalized groups in Nigeria requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses the key barriers of insufficient primary health centers, out-of-pocket payments and systemic corruption. Strengthening primary health facilities, expanding micro health insurance, deploying mobile health clinics, and enhancing governance are critical steps toward ensuring equitable healthcare access. By prioritizing these strategies and ensuring proper implementation, significant progress can be made towards improving access to healthcare for marginalized groups in Nigeria. 

– Edzhe Miteva

Edzhe is based in London, UK and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Gender-Inclusive Pathways for Poverty Reduction in Nigeria

Gender-Inclusive PathwaysAccording to the World Bank, by the end of 2024, 40.7% of Nigerians are expected to live below the international poverty line of $2.15 per day. In October 2021, the Policy Innovation Center (PIC) was created to promote better policy-making in Nigeria. PIC is Africa’s first national initiative aimed at helping governments and organizations make better decisions through behavioral insights and evidence-based solutions. Each year, it hosts the Gender and Inclusion Summit to promote gender equality and inclusive governance in Africa.

PIC’s 2024 Summit

The 2024 summit (GS-24) took place on September 4 and 5 under the theme, “Reimagining Gender-Inclusive Pathways and Partnerships for Poverty Reduction.” The event focused on poverty reduction through gender-inclusive strategies, bringing together policymakers, stakeholders and organizations to influence national policy reforms and address issues like health, education and living standards.

The summit highlighted how gender equality is essential for economic growth, improved health and community well-being, emphasizing gender inclusion as a foundation for broader development goals. Its nine primary objectives, the Summit Tracks, provide a framework for gender-inclusive policies contributing to poverty reduction. They also align with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for global peace and prosperity. Here are the four main summit tracks focused on poverty reduction in Nigeria.

Equitable Access to Health Care

According to the BMC Health Services Research, women in Nigeria have significant barriers to health care access. In 2021, 60% of providers believed women could not choose family planning methods without a male partner’s presence, while 23.2% thought unmarried clients should not use these services. With harmful practices occurring in 59.6% of deliveries, “Equitable Access to Health Care” is crucial.

The goal is to ensure gender-sensitive health care systems that improve community well-being. By focusing on this issue, PIC is working on inclusive policies that will enhance health care delivery and reduce health disparities – fighting “heath-related” poverty and aligning its work with SDG 3, “Good Health and Well-Being,” SDG 10, “Reduced Inequalities” and SDG 17, “Partnerships for the Goals.”

Educational Equity

Gender inequalities heavily affect the Nigerian population, with one in seven needy individuals – 19.1 million – living in households where a man has completed primary school, but no woman has. In 2022, more than 50% of girls were out of school at the elementary level, showcasing the importance of this second pillar’s emphasis on equal access to quality education. Indeed, the vision of education as a key driver of poverty reduction aligns with SDG 4, “Quality Education,” SDG 5, “Gender Equality,” and SDG 17, “Partnerships for the Goals.”

Advancing Gender Equity in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

Nigeria is improving its Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) access, with 70% of people having drinking water, according to the Nigeria Multidimensional Poverty Index 2022. However, the amount and quality of water remain below the standard. Each person gets an average of nine liters daily when the recommended minimum is 12 to 16 liters.

Thus, to advance poverty reduction in Nigeria working on strategies to stop gender inequality in WASH services in needed. While women mainly handle household water, sanitation and hygiene in Nigeria, when these services are lacking, they often face extra burdens, including health risks, safety concerns and emotional stress and are without control over household decision-making. Work on this Summit track matches SDG 5, “Gender Equality,” SDG 6, “Clean Water and Sanitation” and SDG 17, “Partnerships for the Goals.”

Creating Secure Livelihoods and Decent Jobs for All

In 2022, 84.9% of women in Nigeria were in vulnerable employment and the labor force participation rate among females was 52.2% compared to 65.9% for men in 2023. Workers in vulnerable jobs lack formal contracts and social protection, making them more likely to fall into poverty. Furthermore, the labor force participation rate among females is 52.2% and among males is 65.9% for 2023.

The last point focuses on developing stable and secure employment opportunities while enhancing female economic empowerment. This point is linked with SDG 5, “Gender Equality,” SDG 8, “Decent Work and Economic Growth” and SDG 10, “Reduced Inequalities.”

Final Remark

The 2024 Gender and Inclusion Summit on “Reimagining Gender-Inclusive Pathways and Partnerships for Poverty Reduction” was centered on tackling gender inequality and poverty in Nigeria. By addressing health care, education, WASH access and secure jobs through its Summit Tracks, the event highlighted various ways to create a more inclusive society.

PIC’s efforts align with important Sustainable Development Goals and aim to drive policy changes that address the root causes of poverty. Indeed, as Nigeria faces considerable challenges with poverty and inequality, these gender-inclusive strategies are crucial for building a fairer and more prosperous future for all.

– Alissa Naydenova

Alissa is based in Colchester, Essex, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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The Impact of AI on Agriculture in Kenya and Nigeria

Impact of AI on AgricultureArtificial intelligence (AI) holds considerable promise for redefining agriculture in Kenya and Nigeria, two of Africa’s leading tech hubs. Recent estimates suggest AI could markedly improve Africa’s economy, potentially adding up to $2.9 trillion by 2030. In 2023, African tech startups attracted approximately $4 billion in investments, with Kenya’s AI sector receiving $15 million and Nigeria’s $2.9 million, making them two of the leading recipients. A substantial portion of these funds is being directed to the agricultural sector.

Kenya

Kenya, with a population of about 55 million, has enjoyed relative economic and political stability recently, with a projected growth rate of 5.2% from 2024 to 2026. Despite these positivities, the country faces ongoing issues such as poverty, inequality and natural disasters.

Agriculture, which employs more than 40% of Kenya’s workforce and contributes 33% to GDP, is central to the economy. Smallholder farmers, making up more than 70% of the farming population, are essential for both economic stability and food supply. However, farmers battle unpredictable weather, limited access to information and insufficient resources to cope with the effects of natural disasters.

In 2023, approximately 4.4 million Kenyans experienced severe food insecurity, reflecting the sector’s difficulties with financing, quality inputs and crucial information such as weather forecasts and market prices, according to the 2024 GSMA report.

Nigeria

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation with more than 220 million people, is experiencing rapid growth at an annual rate of more than 2.6%. Despite this, the nation faces substantial economic and social challenges, including stagnant GDP per capita, high poverty rates, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture, which employs 40% of the workforce and contributes 24% to GDP, is critical to the economy, yet only 35% of arable land is actively farmed.

Nigerian farmers deal with erratic weather, security issues, poor infrastructure as well as problems like poor seeds, labour shortages, and the loss of farmland to urbanisation, according to ICT Works.

In July 2023, Nigeria declared a food insecurity emergency, forecasting that 26.5 million people could face acute hunger in 2024 due to frequent droughts and floods impacting food production.

The Impact of AI on Agriculture in Kenya

Launched in 2023, Digital Green’s Farmer Chat improves farming advice by offering personalized support to extension workers. It uses information from videos, call logs and factsheets to provide real-time assistance, having already sent more than 134,000 messages in Swahili and English, according to the 2024 GSMA report. Plans are underway to expand its coverage to more crops and regions.

Founded in 2023, Amini addresses the lack of environmental data – such as soil quality and rainfall patterns – which the World Bank identified in 2022. Amino’s platform uses AI and satellite technology for crop monitoring, yield predictions and risk assessments.

Partnering with TensorFlow technology, PlantVillage U.S. nonprofit has developed an AI-powered app to identify plant diseases. The app detects issues on plant leaves such as and recognizes patterns indicating disease outbreaks, helping to combat the 33% crop loss Kenyan farmers face each year due to pests and diseases. The app has attracted more than 10,000 users, who have reported an average 40% increase in crop yields.

The Impact of AI on Agriculture in Nigeria

Crop2Cash offers FarmAdvice, a hotline that gives farming advice via a toll-free number. Since its launch in July 2024, FarmAdvice has provided personalized recommendations in local languages to more than 500,000 farmers across 13 states, helping them increase their incomes and crop yields, according to the 2024 GSMA report.

AirSmart provides AI-driven solutions by collecting and analyzing data from drones, satellites, soil sensors and loT devices. The insights help manage water, fertilizer, and pesticide usage, predict yields and offer data-driven farm management recommendations, according to ICT Works.

The World Food Program (WFP) has developed a predictive model that forecasts food shortages up to 30 days in advance, according to the 2024 GSMA report. By looking at past food consumption data alongside market prices and weather conditions, this tool helps provide early warnings of potential food shortages.

Staying on Track

The impact of AI on agriculture is already being felt in Kenya and Nigeria, but keeping an eye on persistent issues is essential to fully realize its potential. AI is advancing especially in data-driven advisory and financial services, but the high costs of precision tools like loT sensors and drones are problematic. Making these technologies more accessible is important for maximizing the impact of AI on agriculture. While generative AI could assist farmers with low literacy or disabilities, improving digital literacy and ensuring AI services are accessible on affordable mobile devices will enable wider adoption of new agricultural practices among smallholder farmers.

– Georgia O’Keeffe

Georgia is based in Wiltshire, UK and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Tech Brand Helps Extend the Reach of Education in Nigeria

Tech Brand Helps Extend the Reach of Education in NigeriaNigeria is Africa’s most populous country, with an estimated population of 230 million people as of 2024, 60% under the age of 25 and 44% younger than 15. It has the fastest-growing population among the world’s 10 most populous countries. Despite its large demographic, Nigeria’s literacy rate stands at only 77.62% as of 2021. Additionally, the country’s poverty rate was estimated at 38.9% in 2023, making it home to the world’s second-largest population living in poverty, following India. These statistics underscore the critical need to enhance access to and the quality of education in Nigeria. Improving literacy rates is vital not only for reducing poverty but also for aligning with the United Nations (U.N.) Sustainable Development Goal 4, which focuses on quality education.

The NLP and Its Partnership with TECNO

In 2022, Nigeria launched its Learning Passport program to address low literacy rates and the educational disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and to support Sustainable Development Goal 4. The Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) is an online e-learning platform that provides children with access to curriculum-aligned content in local languages. It is available anytime and anywhere, featuring content from Nigeria’s national curriculum along with global educational resources. The platform, which aligns with UNICEF’s global education strategy, offers both online and offline content to enhance accessibility for children, especially those in remote or underserved areas with limited internet access.

As of July 2024, the technology brand TECNO has partnered with UNICEF Nigeria to further develop the NLP. Currently, the NLP operates in 19 of Nigeria’s 36 states, ranking it second among countries participating in the U.N.’s broader “Learning Passport” program. This partnership with TECNO aims to expand both the availability and reach of online and offline content, making the program more accessible throughout the country and extending it to additional states.

Educational Opportunities as a Solution to Poverty

The importance and positive impact of TECNO’s partnership with UNICEF Nigeria and its support of the NLP can be highlighted by the inextricable relationship between education and poverty. Adequate education enhances literacy, cognitive and social skills, potentially providing qualifications that lead to better job opportunities, thus helping lift individuals out of poverty. Additionally, poverty itself can restrict access to consistent, quality education. For instance, those in poverty might lack the financial resources needed for full-time education, including transportation to schools or the ability to afford necessary equipment and resources. necessary equipment and resources.

Extreme poverty often forces individuals to prioritize earning an income over education just to survive. Research conducted by UNESCO underscores the significant role education plays in alleviating poverty. A study found that completing secondary school could more than halve global poverty and achieving basic literacy for all students could help nearly 171 million people escape extreme poverty. These findings highlight the profound and positive impact that improved education quality and access can have on reducing poverty both in Nigeria and worldwide.

Education as a Catalyst for Economic Growth

Quality education is a significant driver of economic growth, as research from Stanford and Ludwig Maximillian Universities reveals that from 1960 to 2000, 75% of global GDP growth was linked to improved math and science skills. Emphasizing education is a crucial strategy for combating poverty, as it enhances individuals’ prospects for securing stable economic futures when they enter the workforce. Jack Guo, General Manager of TECNO, supports this view, stating, “Investing in education is an effective strategy for breaking the inter-generational transmission of poverty and contributing to social and economic development.”

The Importance of the NLP and TECNO’s Partnership

This direct link between enhanced access to and quality of education underscores the significance of the NLP program and its beneficial impact on education in Nigeria, which will consequently help reduce poverty rates over time. Therefore, the anticipated growth of the program, stemming from TECNO’s partnership with UNICEF Nigeria, will further amplify the NLP program’s positive effects on education and poverty rates as beneficiaries mature and engage actively in the country’s economy.

TECNO’s partnership with UNICEF Nigeria and its support of the NLP bring Nigeria one step closer to making education accessible to all children, enhancing their prospects and breaking the cycle of inter-generational poverty. The ongoing support and development of the NLP exemplify Nigeria’s continuous efforts to tackle poverty within its borders.

Looking Ahead

The partnership between TECNO and UNICEF Nigeria aims to expand the reach of the NLP, enhancing educational access for millions of children across the country. By providing curriculum-aligned content both online and offline, this initiative directly addresses the educational challenges exacerbated by poverty. As the program grows, it is expected to play a vital role in improving literacy rates and reducing poverty, ultimately contributing to Nigeria’s economic and social development.

– Archie Day

Archie is based in St Andrews, Fife, Scotland and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Soilless Farming: Nigerian Entrepreneur Fights Food Insecurity

Soilless FarmingNigeria is renowned for its agricultural richness and significant role in the economy; 70.8 million hectares are used for growing crops, yet many challenges and factors inhibit the growth of the farming industry and stifle the sector, contributing to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Some of these factors include soil degradation, global warming, and micro-irrigation. The others are lack of up-to-date technology, low redistribution and high-cost production, and financial deficit. Nigerians face a staggering food insecurity problem, with a predicted 26.5 million people expected to experience acute hunger this year, a substantial increase from 18.6 million people last year.

Enterprise for Youth in Agriculture

Enterprise for Youth in Agriculture (EIYA), under the company Soilless Farm Lab, engages Nigerian youth and women in modern farming techniques to sustainably stabilize food production. Its main objective is to tackle poverty and hunger by making food affordable, growing it consistently, and ensuring it is accessible to everyone.

Soilless farming is a technique used for plants to absorb nutrients through irrigation without using soil. Soilless farming brings forth many benefits, such as reduced food loss, low pesticide utilization, consuming only 10% of the water needed in traditional farming, and saving land space.

Three Benefits of the EIYA Project

Soilless Lab Farm believes in the importance of apprentices knowing how to construct the foundation for hydroponic farming – which involves the growth of plants without soil. This allows the interns in prospects to have the skill of setting their soilless farms. However, the primary goal is to teach them how crucial it is to build a solid foundational structure for plants to thrive. Apprentices explore various adaptive plant-rearing techniques, such as yield mapping and predictive analytics, to gain insights into how plants respond to different environments and conditions. This comprehensive approach not only provides practical skills but also deepens their understanding of plant growth dynamics in controlled settings.

Many Nigerian farmers lack knowledge of the business aspects of farming. As of 2020, a staggering number of Nigerian farmers are considered smallholder farmers (SHFs), with 80% of farmers and 90% of agricultural produce deriving from SHFs. Therefore, the EIYA project presents a significant opportunity for aspiring female farmers to gain expertise in crucial areas such as customer care, market viability assessment, and profitability expansion.

Another benefit of the EIYA project is that it sponsors up to 4,000 apprentices each year and provides them with set-up kits. Each group of 50 participants has access to three hydroponics plots. During the three-month training, participants receive stipends and free accommodation. While women are the primary focus, all youth aged 18-29 are welcome to join. Once the first crop is produced, apprentices are connected to off-takers to sell their produce. EIYA has created 14,534 job opportunities, established 120 start-up companies, and skilled 13,265 Nigerian youth in hydroponics to date.

Final Remark

The EIYA Project is not only a place to learn and expand Nigeria’s agriculture industry but also to tackle food insecurity among citizens living below the poverty line. As Ogbole, the food wizard, aptly puts it, “Food production should not be seasonal because hunger is not.”

– Lydie Udofia

Lydie is based in London, UK and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Afrilearn App: Leading Nigeria’s Educational Future

The Afrilearn AppA newly emerging educational experience utilizing affordable, interactive and entirely digital engagement mechanisms has been conceptualized through Afrilearn, Nigeria’s first learn-and-earn app. Although Afrilearn was founded in 2020 by Isaac Oladipupo and Gabriel Olatunji-Legend, the creators recently received support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Venture Fund, significantly expanding its programming output.

With supplementation through AI, Afrilearn has envisioned a completely personalized academic pathway for students across West Africa, allowing users to navigate lessons across disciplines at the most appropriate pace. The Afrilearn app has amassed more than 7,000 learners, fueling the rapid international growth of education technology companies throughout the last decade.

Accessibility to Education in Nigeria

More than 40% of Nigeria’s population of more than 200 million people cannot read or write, depriving millions throughout the nation of the opportunity to engage in academia thoughtfully. Despite access to physical and academic settings, Oladipupo views current projections of affordable, quality education within Nigeria as an “illusion.” Statistics indicating the number of Nigerian students attending school do not properly reflect the standards of education they are receiving. For example, more than 83% of West African Senior School Certificate Examination candidates cannot fulfill the national educational guidelines and ultimately do not pass.

Oladipupo views Afrilearn as a way of mitigating these educational inequalities, serving as his inspiration for the company. In an interview with Forbes Africa, he emphasized that “every child, no matter their background or location,” should have “full access to quality education and the tools to prepare them for lifelong success,” with Afrilearn serving as a stepping stone for these future academic aspirations.

Developing a World-Renowned Platform

Afrilearn previously consisted of numerous ventures in education technology led by Oladipupo and Olatunji-Legend. They first created ClassNotes.ng in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which provided primary and secondary academic tools when Nigerian students could not attend school in person. ClassNotes.ng achieved widespread success, acquiring more than five million users and teachers since its establishment in 2020.

Later that year, they released Exambly, which democratized access to test preparation materials in West African nations to prepare learners for national and international exams. The Afrilearn app combines the ambitions of these prior applications, pairing animated, engaging lesson plans with sample tests and other types of practice documents. The work of Oladipupo and Olatunji-Legend earned them the Digital Innovation of the Year Award in 2020, dictated by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Engagement Tactics

One of the primary goals of Afrilearn is to tailor its content to the needs of each student, influenced by the relatively large teacher-to-student ratio present within the Nigerian education system. While the teacher-to-student ratio in the U.S. can be estimated at around 1:10, in Nigeria, this is closer to 1:70. Despite the scale of educational materials stored within the Afrilearn app, it attempts to create a sense of connection between its users and the expert tutors that it hosts, blending modes of “social learning and storytelling” to replicate a typical student-teacher relationship.

Most of the options within the platform are free; however, a variety of tools become available for an additional subscription. Some of these include downloadable notes, instant homework help and coding lessons, enhancing the personalization features contained within the app. The revenue generated from subscriptions is re-invested into expanding and improving the free curriculums, corresponding to Afrilearn’s overarching goals of affordability and accessibility.

Education in the Digital Age

Afrilearn showcases an innovative approach to navigating education in the digital age, reimagining modern-day technologies through its teaching potential. For those with the restricted financial capacity to attend and thoughtfully engage in academics, Afrilearn proposes a solution through digital incentivization tailored toward younger generations.

– Eileen Lincoln

Eileen is based in Oakton, VA, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Efforts for Improving Health Care in Nigeria

Health Care in NigeriaNigerians have faced a growing crisis in health care access in recent years. Nigeria has a population of more than 200 million people, marking it as one of the most populated countries in 2024. The country has a diverse group of people, cultures and languages. Although the country has a huge potential for widespread affluence due to its oil and natural resources, its systems are lacking in meeting the needs of all its citizens. For its health care system, as of 2023, Nigeria was ranked 157th out of 167 countries. Improvement within the system is essential for the well-being of the Nigerian people to be guaranteed.

Malaria

Malaria is a life-threatening disease found in primarily tropical countries and is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. In 2021, approximately 619,000 people died from malaria, with more than half of all malaria deaths worldwide occurring in four African countries. Nigeria’s health indicators are some of the worst in Africa. Nigeria continues to undertake the highest level of malaria cases globally, which is the leading cause of child illness and death. Professor Olubenga A. Mokuolu oversees all malaria work in the country.

In an interview, he gave one reason for Nigeria’s high malaria burden: the country’s environmental management. “In terms of environmental management, Nigeria leaves a lot to be desired. The country has open refuse sites and blocked drainage systems and because people lack piped water, they store water at home in containers. These all provide ideal sites for mosquitoes to breed.” While the number of malaria cases has gone down in recent years, they are not at a level where people can fully be at ease.

Lack of Access

Health care access in Nigeria is very limited due to factors within the health system. The Nigerian primary health care (PHC) system is the lowest level and entry point for Nigerians to receive health care services such as visitations, preventative, curative and rehabilitative services. Although initially, the PHC system was seen as a guiding policy for further health improvements, there were many flaws with its enactment.

Vivien O. Abah, a Nigerian health care researcher, stated that “The PHC system was deployed to the grassroots, but geographical access did not translate to access to health care as the populations did not utilize the majority (80%) of these facilities.” Not only was the lack of geographical access difficult but the quality of care in these primary health facilities was proven difficult for some as well.

What Is Being Done

The Nigerian health care industry has faced serious setbacks in recent years due to a lack of funding, as well as the mismanagement of creating accessible quality care for the population. This does not mean that the country has given up, as there have been various measures taken into consideration to improve the system.

In 2018, the government approved the second National Strategic Health Development Plan (SHDP), which sought to ensure all Nigerians have access to health care in the country, with a focus on preventing the trend of citizens traveling abroad for medical care. The Former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, said that the SHDP will be a transparent and accountable mechanism implemented to ensure the health of all citizens and to forbid corruption from affecting funding.

The government has also focused on individual epidemics and issues that have affected Nigerians, as its preventative measures for malaria have saved tens of thousands of lives, most of them children. The country’s health care system provides more than 25 million children aged less than 5 with preventive chemotherapy for malaria, which has considerably reduced the children’s mortality rates.

Improving Health

Improvement of the Nigerian health care system will be a long and arduous process. and its efficiency highly depends on whether or not the government prioritizes high-quality care and population outcomes. In the past, people have had tremendous trouble seeking high-quality care, with some having to leave the country to receive treatment.

Health care in Nigeria has undergone significant changes and is moving in the right direction, but there is still progress to be made. With a growing population in a country known for diseases and limited medical access, the health care system cannot currently guarantee treatment for all its citizens. 

– Oliver Martin

Oliver is based in Honolulu, HI, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Menstrual Organizations Fighting Period Poverty

Organizations Fighting Period PovertyGlobally, about 500 million females suffer from period poverty, which involves a lack of access to menstrual products and appropriate facilities. Consequently, many resort to using cheap materials such as newspapers, rags and socks. Unfortunately, these alternatives often pose serious health risks, including infections. Beyond health risks, period poverty obstructs education for girls and women. Many girls miss school during their menstrual periods due to a lack of access to required menstrual products. On average, girls menstruate for four to five days each month, totaling about 50 days per year. Missing school can have lifelong impacts, including reduced employment opportunities and diminished equality with men. As things stand, menstrual equity, which ensures the affordability, accessibility and safety of menstrual products for those who menstruate could be crucial for ending period poverty.

Period Poverty in Ghana, Algeria and Nigeria

Heavy taxation on menstrual products such as pads and tampons is a growing concern in Ghana. Most menstrual products carry a 20% import tax, leading women to report that these items consume nearly 25% of their income. With the minimum wage in Ghana at 14 cedis, a single pad can cost between 15 and 40 cedis. Consequently, many Ghanaian women resort to using alternatives like cloth and newspapers.

In Algeria, the situation is dire, as it ranks as the worst country for period affordability with an average monthly cost of $34.05 spent on menstrual products. In contrast, South Korea’s average is $25, but it benefits from much higher wages. Nigeria ranks third among countries with the least affordable menstrual products.

Indoni Yamnzi

In South Africa, widely known for its significant gender-based violence issues, the impact extends into aspects of daily life, including education and health. The country reports numerous rape cases daily, reflecting broader systemic issues around women’s rights. This environment contributes to a lack of attention to other significant issues, such as menstrual health, leading to one in three girls missing school during their menstrual period. Addressing this is Indoni Yamnzi, one of the nonprofit organizations fighting period poverty in South Africa. The organization is stepping in to provide crucial support. They offer free menstrual products and educational programs, including reusable safe pads, monthly period packages and empowerment workshops. Unathi, one of the founders, who grew up in Cape Town amid violence, was driven by her more fortunate personal circumstances—including a supportive family and the opportunity for higher education—to create a safer environment and empower girls across South Africa.

MENstruation Foundation

This nonprofit foundation fighting period poverty is also based in South Africa. Founded by Sib Ngesi, a South African actor and producer said: “If men bled once a month, sanitary products would be free. Condoms are free and sanitary products are not, it is a failure of justice.” Until now the foundation has installed 128 sanitary pad dispensing machines and provided girls in school tokens that can be exchanged at the Machine for up to eight sanitary pads per month.

Padbank Nigeria

Ibrahim Faleye, an undergraduate studying biology, founded this nongovernmental organization to educate boys about menstruation and prevent them from shaming girls. Raised with his mother and sisters, Faleye was familiar with menstruation from a young age but recognized that discussing it publicly was considered embarrassing. Determined to dismantle this menstrual stigma, he included boys in conversations about menstruation. After receiving education through Faleye’s program, 14-year-old Opeyemi Adedeji stopped teasing his female classmates about menstruating. He learned that menstruation involves more than just blood—it’s a crucial biological process where eggs are released. Opeyemi even began offering help to his classmates suffering from menstrual cramps.

Breaking the Period Stigma

While contributions through volunteering and donations are valuable, experts say that addressing the deeper issue of period stigma is crucial. This stigma, which shames those who menstruate, has historical roots in ancient religious beliefs that labeled menstruating women as unclean and dangerous, necessitating their separation from men. This archaic view persists, making menstruation a taboo topic. Many individuals feel compelled to speak in hushed tones or use euphemisms like “Aunt Flow” or “Code Red” when discussing menstruation, treating it as an embarrassing subject. To combat this stigma, advocates and organizations fighting period poverty argue that society must accept menstruation as a natural and normal bodily function, open to discussion without embarrassment. Encouraging open dialogue about menstruation across all genders, they suggest, can normalize the topic, reducing the stigma and promoting a more inclusive understanding.

Looking Ahead

Addressing period poverty remains critical, especially in regions where high costs and lack of access to menstrual products exacerbate inequalities and health risks. Organizations fighting period poverty like Indoni Yamnzi, the MENstruation Foundation and Padbank Nigeria are taking significant steps to provide resources and education, whilst also highlighting the urgent need for broader systemic changes. By promoting menstrual equity and challenging the stigma associated with menstruation, these initiatives aim to improve access to essential products, enabling girls and women to lead healthier, more empowered lives.

– Eunsung Koh

Eunsung is based in Seoul, South Korea and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Lassa Fever in Nigeria

Lassa Fever in Nigeria Lassa fever, a viral hemorrhagic illness, was first identified in the town of Lassa in northeastern Nigeria. The primary reservoir of this virus is the multimammate rat, a common sight across West Africa. Human infection typically occurs through exposure to food or household items contaminated with the urine or feces of infected rats. The symptoms of Lassa fever can range from mild to severe, including fever, headache, sore throat and muscle aches. In severe cases, the disease can progress to hemorrhaging, organ failure and even death. Each year, Lassa fever affects between 100,000 to 300,000 people in West Africa, with an estimated 5,000 deaths.

Socioeconomic Impact

The disease’s prevalence is particularly pronounced in Nigeria and has become a significant public health concern. The country’s endemic status is exacerbated by socioeconomic conditions, including widespread poverty. In regions where Lassa fever is rampant, many households lack the means to maintain proper sanitation and secure food storage, creating ideal conditions for rodent infestations. In addition, limited access to health care services and inadequate infrastructure hinder timely diagnosis and treatment, compounding the disease’s impact.

Lassa Fever and Global Poverty

The disease’s transmission is closely tied to environmental and socioeconomic factors. In addition, the changing climate is exacerbating the situation. Hotter and drier conditions drive rodents into human habitats for food and water, increasing the risk of transmission. As these environmental changes unfold, the interplay between Lassa fever and global poverty becomes starkly evident. Poverty-stricken communities, often lacking adequate housing and sanitation, are more susceptible to rodent infestations, thereby heightening their risk of contracting the virus.

The health infrastructure in impoverished regions is typically under-resourced, making early diagnosis and effective treatment more challenging. Health care costs and limited access to medical facilities mean that many affected individuals cannot afford or access timely medical care, leading to higher mortality rates. The burden of Lassa fever in Nigeria thus reflects the broader issue of global poverty, where infectious diseases disproportionately impact vulnerable populations.

Public Health Response

Health authorities and strategic planners in Nigeria have implemented a multifaceted public health response to Lassa fever, involving immediate medical interventions and long-term strategies to reduce transmission. In fact, the country hosted the first Lassa fever treatment trials in 40 years. These trials mark a critical step forward in finding effective treatments for this devastating disease. The initiative is a collaborative effort involving local health authorities, international organizations and pharmaceutical companies, highlighting the global recognition of the need to combat Lassa fever.

Strengthening Health Infrastructure

The World Health Organization (WHO) has played a pivotal role in supporting Nigeria’s response to Lassa fever outbreaks. The WHO is strengthening disease surveillance, enhancing diagnostic capacities and training health care workers as part of its comprehensive strategy. These efforts ensure that health care workers detect and manage cases of Lassa fever in Nigeria promptly, thereby reducing the potential for widespread outbreaks. Furthermore, the WHO emphasizes the importance of community engagement and education to raise awareness about preventive measures, such as proper food storage and hygiene practices to limit rodent exposure.

Economic Considerations

The economic burden of Lassa fever in Nigeria extends beyond the immediate health impacts. Outbreaks can disrupt local economies, as affected individuals cannot work and health care costs soar. This further entrenches poverty, making it harder for communities to recover and prevent future outbreaks. International support, such as funding for research and health care infrastructure improvements, is vital in breaking this cycle. The global community’s investment in combating Lassa fever in Nigeria underscores the interconnectedness of health and poverty and the need for a coordinated, sustained response to address both issues simultaneously.

Looking Ahead

Efforts to combat Lassa fever in Nigeria involve significant collaboration among local health authorities, international organizations and pharmaceutical companies. These initiatives focus on strengthening disease surveillance, improving diagnostic capabilities and educating communities about preventive measures, with hopes of alleviating Lassa fever.

– Maya DaSilva

Maya is based in Seattle, WA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

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Urbanization in Lagos: Impacting Poverty in Nigeria

Urbanization and Its Impact on Poverty in Lagos Nigeria In 2024, the population of Lagos state, Nigeria, reached 16,536,018, marking an increase of 590,106 people over the previous year. This number reflects a 3.7% annual growth rate. The process of urbanization in Lagos, significantly increases the disparity between the wealthy and impoverished residents. While some individuals have benefitted from Lagos’ booming economy and accumulated considerable wealth, a large portion of the population live in inadequate conditions in squatter settlements like Makoko. Unfortunately, issues such as overcrowding, lack of basic amenities and poor living conditions affect these slums.

The Struggles of Slum Dwellers in Makoko

Makoko, a prominent slum in Lagos, stands on stilts above the Lagos lagoon, highlighting its residents’ precarious living situation. Most individuals living in Makoko are employed in the informal economy, earning as little as $1.25 per day, insufficient to cover their basic needs. This extreme poverty perpetuates a cycle of disadvantage and limits opportunities for economic mobility among the residents of Makoko and other similar slums in Lagos.

The Borgen Project spoke with an individual who wishes to remain anonymous for privacy reasons. The young lady, living in one of the slums in Lagos with her three children, stated, “I make nothing less than N2500 a day.” Currently, N2500 is equivalent to $1.86. She further mentioned that she only uses the money to make sure her kids have something to eat. She says, “Every day is a struggle to survive, with no end in sight to our suffering.” Living in the slums traps them in a cycle of poverty and despair. 

Urban Challenges: Poverty and Infrastructure

Urbanization, urban poverty and slums are closely linked and present significant challenges for both developed and developing countries. Nigeria, like other developing nations, faces these ongoing challenges, which have a more pronounced impact due to limited resources and rapid population growth in urban areas. Efforts to address these ongoing issues require comprehensive strategies that prioritize sustainable urban development, poverty reduction and job creation initiatives.

Over the past 50 years, rural-urban migration has been the primary driving factor of population growth in Lagos. This is primarily due to the notable advancements in social and economic development, which have fueled uncontrolled population expansion in these urban areas. This rapid growth has led to various challenges, such as strain on existing infrastructure, environmental deterioration, traffic congestion, lack of adequate housing and an increase in crime rates in Nigerian major cities.

Urban poverty drastically undermines urban sustainability in Nigeria, as the poor in cities face social exclusion, unemployment, homelessness, unpaid work, environmental risks and poor health. These hardships drive the proliferation of slums, squatters’ settlements and deteriorating housing, which are becoming permanent fixtures in Nigeria’s major cities.

The Lagos State Urban Development Policy

The Lagos State Urban Development Policy (LSUDP) is a comprehensive and holistic approach to guiding sustainable urban development in Lagos State, Nigeria. The policy is rooted in the recognition of the rapid urbanization and population growth that Lagos State, which addresses significant challenges in infrastructure, housing, transportation and social services

The LSUDP addresses the ongoing challenges by providing a long-term vision and strategic direction for developing Lagos State over the next three decades (2022-2052). The policy outlines key objectives and strategies that promote inclusive growth and development, reduce poverty and inequality, enhance residents’ quality of life and ensure sustainable resource use.

One of the core principles of the LSUDP is to create inclusive cities where all residents, regardless of their socio-economic status, can access basic services, opportunities for economic advancement, and a high quality of life. This includes policies to promote affordable housing, improve access to health care and education, enhance transportation infrastructure and protect the environment.

Furthermore, the LSUDP emphasizes the importance of sound socio-economic foundations, which are essential for sustainable development. This involves fostering economic growth, attracting investments, creating job opportunities and supporting entrepreneurship and innovation. By laying down this strong foundation, the LSUDP aims to ensure that urban development in Lagos State is sustainable, equitable and beneficial for all residents.

The LSUDP represents a strategic roadmap for the future development of Lagos State, with a focus on creating livable, inclusive and prosperous cities that can meet the needs of current and future generations.

Moving  Forward

The Lagos State Urban Development Policy promises to transform urban living conditions by addressing critical infrastructure needs and reducing inequality. By prioritizing sustainable growth and inclusive policies, Lagos is poised to enhance the quality of life for all its residents. These ongoing initiatives could help break the cycle of poverty and create a more equitable urban environment in Nigeria’s bustling metropolis.

– Oyinkansola Adewumi

Oyinkansola is based in Denver, CO, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

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