Women Friendly Initiative (WFI) joined the Federal Ministries of Health and Education, development partners, civil society organisations, and young people across Nigeria to celebrate International Adolescent Health Week 2026, under the theme: “Nothing About Us Without Us:
Power, Voice and Health Equity for All Adolescents.” The week was more than a celebration. It reminded us that adolescents deserve a seat at the table where decisions about their lives are made
The journey began with collaborative planning sessions that brought stakeholders together around a shared commitment to adolescent health. From there, the conversation moved into schools, where young people openly shared their experiences and aspirations through interactive school engagements and the Fix My School Challenge across Abuja’s six Area Councils. The Fix My School Challenge further amplified young people’s voices by advocating for safer, healthier, and more inclusive learning environments. Through creative calls to action, including poems, spoken-word performances, letters, and songs, participants highlighted gaps in the health and education system and called on decision-makers to uphold their commitments and ensure the effective implementation of adolescent- and youth-friendly policies. A medical outreach was also held at the Karonmajiji IDP Camp, Abuja, where adolescents and other community members accessed essential health services and information, ensuring that vulnerable young people were not left behind.
The hallmark of the week was a ministerial press briefing held on 12th October at Rockview Hotel, Abuja, where the Ministers of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Federal Ministry of Education were represented alongside development partners, CSOs, adolescents, and youth advocates. The briefing reinforced a shared national commitment to making adolescent voices central to health
and education policies and to expanding adolescent- friendly services across Nigeria. Women Friendly Initiative (WFI) remains committed to working with government, partners, and communities to ensure every adolescent is heard, protected, and empowered to thrive not just during commemorative weeks, but every day.
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