Hon. Taiwo Oluga Decries Rising Teenage Pregnancies in Rural Communities, Calls for Urgent Stakeholder Action

A former member of the House of Representatives and current member of the National Assembly Service Commission, Hon. Taiwo Oluga, has raised the alarm over the growing rate of teenage and underage pregnancies in rural communities across Nigeria, describing the trend as a major social and public health concern.

Hon. Oluga, who made the observation shortly after a community engagement programme, expressed deep worry that many girls under the age of 18 in underserved areas are becoming mothers prematurely, often without proper health care, education, or family support structures.

“It is heartbreaking to see young girls—some as young as 13—forced into adulthood through pregnancy. This not only endangers their health and future but also perpetuates cycles of poverty, illiteracy, and social disadvantage,” she lamented.

While noting that the problem is particularly prevalent in rural areas due to poverty, lack of sex education, early marriage practices, and weak family support systems, Hon. Oluga stressed that urgent, multi-stakeholder collaboration is required to reverse the trend.

She called on parents, traditional rulers, religious leaders, teachers, NGOs, and government agencies to intensify awareness campaigns and community-based programmes aimed at protecting girls and keeping them in school.

“Education is the most powerful tool we have to break this cycle. A girl in school is less likely to become a child bride or teenage mother. We must ensure that no girl drops out because of pregnancy or early marriage,” Oluga said.

She also advocated for the inclusion of comprehensive reproductive health education in both formal and informal settings, especially in rural schools and communities where knowledge gaps are widest.

“We need to talk openly about these issues. Silence and stigma are killing our girls. Let’s equip them with the right information, confidence, and support to say no and to make informed choices,” she added.

Hon. Oluga urged local governments and state ministries of health and education to collaborate with community-based organizations to provide free access to adolescent-friendly health services, counseling, and sanitary resources.

She also warned against the exploitation of young girls by older men, noting that many cases of underage pregnancy are linked to abuse and power imbalance.

“This is not just a moral issue; it is a violation of the Child Rights Act. Law enforcement must be vigilant in ensuring perpetrators are brought to justice,” she emphasized.

Hon. Oluga concluded by reaffirming her personal and institutional commitment to advancing the rights and wellbeing of women and girls, particularly those in rural and vulnerable communities.