Choosing Health and Progress: Nigerian Women Embrace Modern Contraceptives

In a significant cultural shift, many Nigerian women are increasingly prioritizing their health and economic well-being over traditional and religious expectations by adopting modern contraceptive methods. According to PUNCH Healthwise, modern family planning has become a crucial lifeline for women seeking to break free from the cycle of unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and financial instability. JANET OGUNDEPO reports.

Transforming Lives Beyond Health

For Mrs. Kehinde Alimi, a fruit vendor and mother of four, family planning was not just about health—it was about saving her business and securing a brighter future. After her second child, she was introduced to family planning services and began using the 13-week long-acting reversible injectable contraceptive, Depo-Provera.

Later, influenced by other women in her community, she switched to the three-year etonogestrel implant, Implanon, another long-acting reversible contraceptive. However, when she experienced prolonged monthly bleeding for almost a month, she consulted her healthcare provider, who recommended the removal of the implant and transitioning back to the 13-week subcutaneous form of Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (DMPA), also known as Sayana Press.

Since switching to the DMPA injectable, Alimi reports no side effects and has been able to focus on her fruit business while maintaining her health.

“I have been able to focus on my business, take care of myself, and ensure the well-being of my children without fear of unplanned pregnancies or the need for unsafe abortions,” she says.

The Journey of Planned Parenthood

After years of using injections, Alimi decided to expand her family. Following counselling at a Primary Health Centre in Sango-Ota, Ogun State, she discontinued the intramuscular contraceptive Depo-Provera. She subsequently became pregnant and welcomed her third child.

“I had two children before I started using modern family planning. After spacing them, I have had two more children,” Alimi shares, emphasizing that modern contraceptives do not cause infertility.

Even now, having completed her desired family size, she continues using DMPA injections to prevent unplanned pregnancies.

Alimi’s journey was supported by Mrs. Abiola Adekoya, a local family planning and community health advocate.

Global Perspective on Family Planning

The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights that family planning empowers individuals to determine the number and spacing of their children while making informed reproductive health choices. Beyond health benefits, family planning enables women to pursue education and career opportunities, thereby contributing to family welfare, community development, and broader economic growth.

As a public health intervention, modern contraceptives are a key tool in reducing maternal mortality. Increasing their uptake in Nigeria is gaining attention not merely as a population-control strategy but as a life-saving measure. Evidence consistently shows that countries with higher contraceptive usage enjoy lower maternal and infant mortality rates and improved health outcomes for women, children, and families.

A Personal Success Story

Another example is Mrs. Fatimah Jamiu, a hairstylist who started using modern contraceptives in 2013. After hearing about them in a public awareness program, she saved the N15,000 fee required for the service. Fortunately, a free outreach program in her community allowed her to access a five-year-long-lasting implant at no cost, fulfilling her long-held desire for family planning.

These stories reflect a growing movement in Nigeria: women choosing survival, economic progress, and health over rigid traditional norms. Family planning is no longer just a personal choice; it is an investment in women’s empowerment, family stability, and societal advancement.