Health
Group calls for reusable pads as menstrual stigma, access gaps persist
Despite growing awareness about menstrual health, many girls in Nigeria still lack access to sanitary products, accurate information and safe facilities needed to manage menstruation with dignity.
The concerns were raised by stakeholders on Tuesday during a menstrual health awareness campaign held in Keffi, Nasarawa state, to commemorate the 2026 World Menstrual Health Day.
The event, organised by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria, in collaboration with the Nasarawa State Ministry of Women Affairs and Humanitarian Services, brought together government officials, health workers, educators and students.
Participants at the event called for stronger government action, wider awareness campaigns and practical support for girls, including improved access to sanitary products and toilets in schools.
Menstrual hygiene as a development and education issue
Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is increasingly recognised by development agencies as a critical factor in girls’ health, education and long-term wellbeing, with evidence showing that poor access to facilities and products can directly affect school attendance and learning outcomes.
According to the World Bank Group and partners, working on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), good menstrual hygiene is essential for women, girls and other menstruators to reach their full potential, noting that the consequences of poor menstrual health cut across education, health and economic participation.
According to WASH-focused organisations including WASH United, more than 300 million women and girls worldwide menstruate, while an estimated 500 million lack access to menstrual products and adequate facilities for managing menstruation.
Push for reusable sanitary pads
Speaking during the event, Angelina Kigbu of the Keffi Education Area Office said many girls struggle to afford disposable sanitary pads, making reusable alternatives important.
Ms Kigbu disclosed that the office plans to establish a club where girls would be trained to produce reusable sanitary pads.
According to her, the initiative would help students reduce costs while also expanding awareness about menstrual hygiene.
“If they can make it themselves, they can teach others and expand awareness. Most girls are not aware this is possible,” she said.
Calls for wider awareness
Also speaking, Halima Omaku, gender focal person at the Nasarawa State Ministry of Women Affairs and Humanitarian Services, said menstruation remains surrounded by stigma and silence in many communities.
Ms Omaku said many girls still grow up without adequate information on menstrual hygiene, describing the campaign as an opportunity to address harmful beliefs and misconceptions.
“This programme provides enlightenment and education on issues many people still struggle to discuss openly. We have a lot of work to do in changing harmful norms and perceptions around menstruation,” she said.
She urged participants to share the knowledge gained with others in their communities and stressed the importance of involving boys in conversations around menstrual health.
“You are lucky to have this opportunity. In our time, we didn’t. Use it to achieve what’s best for you,” she told students.
Safiya Yahuzu, gender and human rights focal person at the Nasarawa State AIDS Control Agency, said some students attending the campaign were learning about menstrual hygiene for the first time.
Ms Yahuzu said awareness programmes remain necessary to tackle misconceptions surrounding menstruation and improve hygiene practices among girls.
“Hygiene is necessary for young girls at all times. You must also learn to keep yourselves clean during your period,” she said.
Students who attended the programme also called for more support for girls in schools.
Victoria Samson, 15, said the session highlighted the importance of proper hygiene and dangers associated with reusing sanitary pads improperly.
She, however, appealed to government authorities to provide toilets and sanitary pads in schools.
Another student, Catherine Ogogi, 16, said she learned about reusable pads and proper disposal methods during the programme.
She called for the provision of emergency sanitary pads in schools and stronger efforts to address myths surrounding menstruation.
Hygiene education
Deborah Mamman of AHF Nigeria advised girls to change sanitary pads regularly and maintain proper hygiene during menstruation.
Ms Mamman recommended changing pads every six to eight hours, washing hands before and after handling menstrual materials and maintaining proper cleaning practices.
Sunday Emmanuel, an ART clinician with AHF Nigeria, said the campaign formed part of efforts to provide young people with accurate information on menstrual and reproductive health.
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Mr Emmanuel called for sustained collaboration between government agencies, schools and civil society groups to expand awareness campaigns through community outreach and media engagement.
World Menstrual Hygiene Day
World Menstrual Hygiene Day is marked annually on 28 May to raise awareness on menstrual health, challenge stigma and promote access to safe, affordable and dignified menstrual care for women, girls and other menstruators.
The day was initiated in 2014 by WASH United and has grown into a global advocacy platform supported by governments, development partners and civil society organisations to highlight menstrual health as a public health, education and gender equality issue.
The 2026 theme, #periodfriendlyworld, focuses on strengthening integrated systems that support menstrual health, particularly through improved WASH, education and gender-responsive policies.
Health policymakers, legislators, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders are expected to meet in Abuja in October to discuss how Nigeria can bridge the gap between health policies and their implementation.
The stakeholders will meet at the 2026 National Health Equity Conference scheduled for 13 to 15 October at the Nigeria National Merit Award House, Maitama, Abuja.
The conference, organised by OneBarrow International Limited, will focus on the theme, “From Policy to Impact: Care Coordination as the Core Engine of Health Equity.”
According to the organisers, the meeting will examine how stronger coordination across different levels of the healthcare system can improve access to care, quality of services and continuity of treatment.
The conference is expected to bring together policymakers, legislators, healthcare regulators, development partners, professional bodies, healthcare practitioners, civil society organisations, patient and community groups, academics and private sector representatives.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, is listed as the Chief Host, while the Chairman of the House Committee on Health Services, Amos Magaji, and the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, are expected to attend as Special Guests of Honour.
Policy implementation
The Chief Executive Officer of OneBarrow International Limited, Yemi Ajao, said the conference would focus on how existing health policies and frameworks could be translated into action.
“Nigeria has developed important health policies and frameworks, but the real test is what happens when those policies reach the people and communities they are designed to serve,” Mr Ajao said.
He said the conference would examine implementation across the federal, state and local government levels, as well as collaboration among healthcare professionals.
According to him, better coordination among doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, health administrators and other professionals could help reduce fragmentation in healthcare delivery.
“Every healthcare cadre has a unique and complementary role to play. The patient experiences the health system as one system, regardless of how many professionals or institutions are involved in their care,” he said.
He added that stronger referral systems, communication and accountability would be important to improving coordination within the health system.
Health equity
The organisers said health equity would be another major focus of the conference, particularly the effect of poor coordination on people who face barriers to accessing healthcare.
The meeting will also consider the role of technology, data and citizen participation in improving accountability in healthcare.
Issues expected to be discussed include digital feedback mechanisms, transparency, access to health information and awareness of patients’ rights.
Mr Ajao said citizens should have channels through which they can provide feedback on healthcare services and participate in discussions about the quality of care.
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“Citizens must understand their rights, have meaningful channels to provide feedback and be empowered to participate in conversations about the quality of care they receive,” he said.
Expected outcome
The organisers said the conference would produce a post conference communiqué and an implementation roadmap containing recommendations and commitments from participants.
They said the roadmap would be used to support policy implementation, track commitments and strengthen collaboration among stakeholders.
The organisers said the meeting would seek to move discussions beyond identifying problems to developing practical actions that can be implemented across Nigeria’s healthcare system.
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Passengers using TinCity Metro buses in Plateau State will be required to wear face masks from Tuesday as authorities intensify efforts to contain a diphtheria outbreak that has killed at least 23 people.
The management of Plateau Express Services Group, which operates the state-owned mass transit service, announced a “no face mask, no entry” policy in a statement issued on Monday.
The directive takes effect on Tuesday, 8 September, and will remain in force until further notice.
“The Management of Plateau Express Services Group has directed the enforcement of a ‘No Face Mask, No Entry’ policy on all TinCity Metro buses, effective Tuesday, 8th September 2026, until further notice,” the statement said.
TinCity Metro buses operate across the Jos metropolis and neighbouring local government areas, including Jos South, Barkin Ladi and Bassa, providing daily transportation for residents within and around the state capital.
The management said a limited number of face masks would be provided at designated boarding points to ease the implementation of the directive.
However, it advised commuters to bring their own masks, warning that available supplies might not be sufficient for everyone.
The company also urged passengers to comply with the directive and cooperate with its personnel when boarding the buses.
“Management appreciates the understanding and cooperation of commuters as we work together to ensure a safer public transport environment,” it said.
The directive comes amid heightened concern over the spread of diphtheria in Plateau State, with health authorities reporting a rising number of suspected cases and deaths.
The state Commissioner for Health, Nicholas Baamlong, said on Friday that 148 suspected cases had been recorded, with 23 deaths reported in the preceding two weeks.
READ ALSO: Plateau shuts schools over suspected diphtheria outbreak
Eight patients were receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, while five others were being treated at the Plateau Specialist Hospital, Mr Baamlong said.
Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that spreads mainly through respiratory droplets and close contact with infected people, making crowded public spaces a potential avenue for transmission.
The Plateau State Government has already introduced other measures to contain the outbreak, including the temporary closure of public and private primary and secondary schools across the state.
The face-mask requirement on TinCity Metro buses extends the containment measures to public transportation, where thousands of residents travel daily between Jos and neighbouring communities.
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