Voluntary, rights-based family planning (FP) is essential for realizing reproductive intentions, saving lives, and promoting development. In recognition of these links, the Federal Ministry of Health launched Nigeria’s Family Planning Blueprint in 2014. The Blueprint aspires to increase FP use from 15 to 36 percent nationally by 2018.

Achieving this goal will require Lagos to increase its FP uptake from 48 to 74 percent by 2018.1 However, this will not be possible without eliminating barriers to method choice, access, and use, particularly those related to more effective and less expensive methods such as intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCDs) and implants.

One key barrier to family planning in Lagos is the out-of-pocket cost of consumables, including for gloves, surgical blades, and other supplies associated with the provision of modern contraception.

By allocating and disbursing public sector funds for FP consumables in pursuit of Lagos’ Blueprint goal, the government would not only increase FP use, ultimately saving the lives of women and children, but also advance the country’s overall development.