Educationists, parents, and other Nigerians are calling for the early and intensified implementation of sex education in schools, arguing it is essential to empower adolescents, curb high rates of teenage pregnancy, and prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
In interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday, stakeholders argued that comprehensive sex education promotes healthy lifestyles and empowers students to make informed decisions about their sexual health.
Mrs. Adetoro Abeeb, a public school teacher in Lagos, highlighted the preventative advantages. “Sex education empowers students to make informed decisions about their sexual health, relationships, and well-being,” she said. “Studies have shown that sex education can lead to a decrease in teenage pregnancy rates.”
She urged the government to make the subject compulsory, stating it would benefit students, families, and society at large.
Beyond pregnancy and disease, respondents linked early education to the prevention of sexual abuse. Mrs. Kemi Oke, another teacher, described the topic as one of “growing importance, particularly given the rising cases of sexual abuse and exploitation among children.”
She noted that the National Sexuality Education Curriculum, introduced in 2002, “educates children on body boundaries and consent” and “promotes healthy relationships, fostering respect, communication, and empathy.”
Mr. Bayo Oluadekoya, an engineer, agreed, telling NAN that sex education helps adolescents “understand consent, boundaries, and respect for others,” which can “reduce gender-based violence.” He added that it could also help “address harmful cultural and societal norms contributing to gender inequality and sexual violence.”
Other advocates stressed the role of education in removing social stigma.
Mr. Mofe Oluwajuwon, a businessman, said it “can help to reduce stigma and shame associated with sexual health and relationships.” He argued that this empowerment is crucial for “students, especially girls, to take control of their bodies” and provides “critical support to vulnerable populations such as adolescents, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those living with HIV.”
To ensure success, stakeholders emphasized the need for proper implementation. Mrs. Shola Johnson, a mother, told NAN that “teachers should be equipped with appropriate skills to deliver sex education.”
“By prioritising early sex education,” she concluded, “Nigeria can empower children with knowledge, skills, and confidence… [and] ultimately foster a healthier and more informed society.”
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