The Cultural Architects of Change: How Enugu's Leaders Are Redefining Family Planning in Nigeria

By Alex Enebeli, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

In Nigeria, the journey toward universal access to family planning is a story of stark contrasts. While national awareness campaigns have made strides, a deep chasm persists between knowledge and practice, driven by entrenched cultural narratives, religious interpretations, and systemic barriers. Common myths—such as the belief that contraceptives cause permanent infertility or are a Western plot to suppress the African population—continue to hold sway, particularly in rural and conservative communities. The consequences are severe: unintended pregnancies, elevated maternal mortality, strained household economies, and truncated educational and economic prospects for women and girls.

The 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) quantifies this uneven landscape. Modern contraceptive use among married women ranges from approximately 43% in Ekiti State to a mere 3% in Kebbi State. This disparity underscores that national averages mask profound regional and socio-cultural realities.

Amid this challenging national backdrop, Enugu State in southeastern Nigeria emerges as a compelling case study in community-led transformation. The NDHS indicates that 50.5% of women in Enugu have ever used a family planning method, with 35.6% currently using one. While these figures are above the national average and signify progress, they also reveal a significant “unmet need”—women who wish to delay or prevent pregnancy but are not using a modern method. This gap is often rooted not in a lack of services, but in a lack of social permission.

The critical barrier is reproductive autonomy. Nationally, only three in ten married women can make independent decisions regarding their sexual health, contraceptive use, and healthcare. In Enugu, a pioneering strategy is tackling this issue at its source: by engaging the very custodians of culture and faith who traditionally shaped these norms.

The Traditional Ruler as Health Advocate

His Royal Highness Titus Okolo, the Traditional Ruler of Amorji Nike, represents a new wave of leadership. He leverages his cultural authority not to uphold every tradition uncritically, but to reinterpret it for contemporary well-being. He acknowledges that Igbo culture values progeny but argues that true responsibility lies in ensuring children can be cared for properly.

“Life is a stage,” Okolo explains. “We need new generations to keep the community going. But the present economic condition does not support having many children a family cannot train. We encourage adoption of family planning to control the number of children.” His advocacy, informed by training from organizations like MSI Nigeria Reproductive Choices and Nigeria Health Watch, has created a ripple effect, encouraging other traditional rulers to publicly endorse child spacing for maternal health and economic stability.

The Pulpit as a Platform for Public Health

Complementing this traditional authority is the influence of religious leaders. Pastor Ifeanyi Ofili of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Enugu demonstrates how faith can be framed to support, not hinder, family planning. He emphasizes joint decision-making, the physiological toll of rapid, successive pregnancies on women, and the moral imperative of responsible parenthood.

“We do not encourage giving birth to children you cannot cater for, because they become a burden to the family and society,” Pastor Ofili states. His church now regularly hosts health professionals for talks and screenings, creating a trusted, faith-based entry point for sensitive health information. This model bridges the gap between spiritual guidance and practical healthcare.

From Advocacy to Action: Voices from the Community

The impact of these leaders is tangible in the lives of residents. Mrs. Jonnex Onu’s story is a testament to shifting norms. Her decision to use a modern contraceptive implant was a joint one with her husband, motivated by economic hardship and enabled by increased community awareness. She also candidly addresses initial side effects like spotting, a common experience that, without proper counseling, often leads to method discontinuation. Her openness helps demystify the process for others.

On the front lines of service delivery, health workers like Mrs. Chidimma Nnamani at Hilltop Health Centre see the results. Attending to 50-60 women monthly for family planning services, she notes the critical role of education in reaching rural areas to “prevent them from dying from unwanted pregnancies.”

The Road Ahead: Scaling Success Amid Persistent Challenges

Despite Enugu’s relative progress, significant hurdles remain. No Nigerian state is on track to meet the National Policy on Population target of reducing unmet family planning need to 10% by 2025. The north-south divide in contraceptive prevalence remains stark, highlighting that a one-size-fits-all national strategy is insufficient.

Policy experts argue that to sustain and scale Enugu’s model, concerted government action is essential. This must include:

Dedicated Funding: Ensuring consistent budget allocations for commodities, training, and community engagement.
Robust Supply Chains: Eliminating stock-outs of preferred methods at health centers, which erode trust.
Systematic Male Engagement: Expanding programs that involve men as supportive partners in reproductive health.
Institutionalizing Partnerships: Formalizing collaborations with traditional and religious institutions in state health plans.

Enugu’s experience offers a powerful blueprint: sustainable change in deeply personal health behaviors is not achieved by bypassing culture, but by respectfully engaging its architects. By providing cultural legitimacy and moral framing, trusted leaders are softening resistance, reshaping attitudes, and ultimately empowering families to plan their futures with dignity and health. This community-led push is not just about distributing contraceptives; it’s about fostering a fundamental shift in the narrative surrounding choice, autonomy, and well-being in modern Nigeria.

****If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria.