The Chief Whip of the Ogun State House of Assembly and Vice Chairman, House Committee on Health, Hon. Bakare Omolola Olanrewaju, has expressed support for a comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education and urgent legal reforms aimed at protecting women and girls across Nigeria.
Olanrewaju, who represents Ijebu Ode Constituency, spoke on sexual and reproductive health and rights during a two-day dialogue with policymakers organised in Lagos State by the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC). She described the issue as critical to national development and societal wellbeing, calling for early education and sustained public awareness.
According to her, sexual and reproductive health education should be formally integrated into Nigeria’s school curriculum, starting from the secondary school level.
“This is something that should be taught early, possibly from age 11 or during the teenage years. It can happen to any child, any family, at any time. That is why we must create awareness and enlighten our communities,” she said.
The lawmaker stressed that addressing sexual and reproductive health requires a multi-sectoral approach, particularly involving the education and health sectors.
Highlighting her contributions to healthcare delivery in Ogun State, Olanrewaju disclosed that she built and equipped a health centre in her constituency, making her the only lawmaker in the state to undertake such a project. She also provided health insurance coverage for 200 constituents and offered support for hospital bills, eye tests and other medical needs.
She explained that her commitment to healthcare is driven by her professional background as a nurse, having trained and worked as a mental health nurse in the United Kingdom before entering politics.
“Healthcare is a human right. Not everyone can afford medication or treatment, and that is why we must provide support for our people, regardless of political differences,” she said.
Olanrewaju also raised concerns over Nigeria’s restrictive abortion laws, arguing that safe termination of pregnancy should be recognised as a healthcare issue, especially in cases of rape, incest, insecurity and threats to a woman’s mental and physical health.
“In situations where a woman or girl has been raped or abused, forcing her to carry such a pregnancy can severely affect her wellbeing and mental health,” she noted.
She emphasised that laws are not static and can be reviewed and amended to reflect changing realities and protect vulnerable populations.
“Anything that is a law can be amended. With awareness, dialogue and advocacy, we can review and reform these laws,” she said.
Reacting to the stalled debate on abortion law reform at the National Assembly, the lawmaker appealed to the Senate President to reconsider the issue, stressing the need for empathy and increased female representation in legislative spaces.
“We do not want to keep losing our mothers, daughters and friends. Women need to be present in decision-making positions to speak for themselves and protect their lives and dignity,” she said.
She concluded by calling for stronger legislative action, public engagement and gender-sensitive policies to ensure the protection of women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights in Nigeria.
