In a major step toward improving youth health in Nigeria, the Federal Government has launched a new campaign called Yo! Health. This youth-centered public health initiative aims to give young Nigerians better access to accurate health information and help them live healthier lives.
The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, introduced the initiative at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja. He said that Yo! Health is a response to the increasing health issues facing young people today. It focuses on promoting good mental health, sexual and reproductive health, physical fitness, and preventive care. The program also provides information on common diseases and encourages the use of health insurance, especially for those in the informal sector.
According to the Minister, young people must stay healthy if they want to fulfil their goals and make real contributions to society. That’s why Yo! Health is built around six important areas: mental health, drug and substance abuse, communicable diseases, health insurance, non-communicable diseases, and sexual and reproductive health. Each area was chosen based on real data and the experiences shared by young Nigerians across different regions.
The initiative is also guided by four major goals: increasing awareness, empowering the youth, influencing policy, and encouraging young people to participate in planning and decision-making. By giving the youth a voice, the government hopes to make the program more effective and relevant to their needs.
Yo! Health is a joint effort that brings together the Federal Ministries of Health and Women Affairs, along with private sector health stakeholders, international development agencies, civil society groups, and youth-led organisations.
This type of collaboration is expected to help strengthen the health sector, especially in areas like youth mental health services, health education, and affordable healthcare for students and young workers.
Comrade Olawande praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for supporting youth-focused initiatives and called on more organisations to join the campaign. He believes this health campaign will lead to a stronger and more productive generation.
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Olubunmi Olusanya, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, described Yo! Health as a powerful strategy to build a healthier and more informed youth population, which is key to the future development of Nigeria.