The Society for Adolescent and Young People’s Health in Nigeria (SAYPHIN) has called for increased investment in adolescent healthcare, warning that health-related behaviours developed during adolescence can have lasting consequences for individuals, families and society.
The association made the call on Tuesday 13th October 2026 at Elial Center in Jos, Plateau State during the unveiling of the logo for its 2027 Adolescent and Young People’s Conference, where health professionals, government representatives, students, civil society organisations and development partners discussed the need to strengthen healthcare and support systems for young people.
The conference, scheduled for August 2027, will be held under the theme, “Beyond 2030: Protecting Adolescent Health, Securing the Future.”
The discussions highlighted concerns about substance abuse, sexual health, unhealthy dietary patterns and other lifestyle choices that can expose adolescents to health risks, alongside the need for accurate health information and accessible healthcare services.
President of SAYPHIN, Professor Olumide Adesola, said adolescents are often perceived as a relatively healthy population, leading to the tendency to overlook their specific healthcare needs.
She noted that young people are affected by communicable and non-communicable diseases, including malaria and respiratory infections, while adolescence is also a critical period when behaviours that influence long-term health may begin and become established.
According to her, adolescents naturally explore their environment as they develop and learn to make decisions. However, she stressed that families, schools, communities and government institutions have a responsibility to create environments that enable young people to make informed and safer choices.
Adesola said SAYPHIN was established to promote the health and wellbeing of adolescents and young people across Nigeria, stressing that investment in this population is essential to the country’s future development.
She also referenced Nigeria’s National Policy on the Health and Development of Adolescents and Young People, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 as important frameworks supporting commitments to young people’s development.
She called for these commitments to translate into practical interventions that improve access to healthcare and protect young people’s wellbeing.
Mrs. Mary Gonsun led the unveiling of the logo for the 2027 Adolescent and Young People’s Conference of the Society for Adolescent and Young People’s Health in Nigeria (SAYPHIN), called for greater investment in adolescent health and youth development.
Gonsun, who represented the Director-General of the Mutfwang/Piyo 2027 Campaign Organisation, Sir Joseph Ari, stressed the need to address challenges affecting adolescents, noting that their health, education, safety and opportunities are critical to their future and the development of society.
She said stakeholders must move beyond making commitments to taking practical action that ensures every young person, regardless of background or circumstances, has access to accurate health information, quality healthcare and opportunities to fulfil their potential.
According to her, protecting adolescent health is not only an investment in young people but also in families, communities, national development and future generations.
She called for stronger partnerships, greater attention to the voices of adolescents and sustained efforts to protect their rights and wellbeing.
The Plateau State Government also emphasised the need to move beyond policy statements and public discussions to practical measures that improve young people’s health and opportunities.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicolas Ba’amlong, represented by a director from the ministry, said adolescent health should be treated as an investment in human capital and the future of the state.
He argued that young people should not be viewed only as beneficiaries of government programmes but also as contributors to development whose creativity, skills and experiences should inform policies affecting their lives.
According to him, protecting adolescent health requires an enabling environment where young people can access appropriate health services, develop their skills, nurture their talents and participate meaningfully in society.
He called for collaboration among government agencies, families, schools, civil society organisations, development partners and the private sector.
The commissioner said the success of the 2027 conference should be measured not only by attendance and presentations but also by the partnerships, commitments and practical solutions that emerge from it.
The Chief Medical Director of Jos University Teaching Hospital, Dr Pokop Wushipba Bupwatda, said adolescents face several challenges that can influence their decisions, lifestyles and future wellbeing.
He stressed the importance of collective action to protect young people and help them make informed health choices.
Bupwatda said stakeholders must work directly with adolescents to address the factors affecting their health and ensure that interventions produce lasting benefits.
He also called for the August 2027 conference to serve as a platform for moving from discussions to concrete action.
Beyond healthcare, SAYPHIN’s president raised concerns about the heavy dependence on artificial intelligence observed during this year’s competition for the conference logo.
Adesola said the competition, which was open to young people aged 10 to 24, attracted a large number of entries, making the selection process challenging.
However, she noted that the extensive use of AI highlighted the need to encourage young people to use emerging technologies responsibly without allowing them to replace their creativity and original thinking.
Her remarks introduced another dimension to the discussion about adolescent development, particularly the importance of equipping young people with the skills and judgment needed to navigate a rapidly changing digital environment.
Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Professor M. P. Chingle, said the logo unveiling marked the beginning of preparations for the 2027 conference and an opportunity to build partnerships around adolescent health.
He called on stakeholders to provide institutional support, resources and active participation to ensure that the conference delivers measurable benefits.
Chingle also urged young people to participate actively in shaping discussions and solutions, stressing that their voices, experiences and ideas should be central to decisions affecting their future.
The event concluded with a panel discussion featuring Mrs. Kaneng Pam-Hworo, Director-General of the National Orientation Agency in Plateau State; Mrs. Nvou P. Davou, Adolescent and Youth Health Desk Officer at the Plateau State Primary Health Care Development Board; Mr. Awollong T. Solomon, President of the Jos University Medical Students Association; Rev. Chris Damcher, Plateau State Civil Society Organisations Coordinator; and Dr. Joy Dogo, President of the Plateau State chapter of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria.
The panellists shared insights into adolescent and young people’s health and the need for coordinated action among government institutions, healthcare professionals, civil society and young people.
The conference theme, “Beyond 2030: Protecting Adolescent Health, Securing the Future,” underscores the need to maintain attention on young people’s health beyond the current Sustainable Development Goals timeline and ensure that commitments to their development produce tangible results.
