The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, said on Thursday at least 66 percent of Nigerian children in rural areas cannot read or write.
Ehanire, who stated at the end of a two-day workshop on adolescents health in Abuja, added that at least 17.6 million Nigerian youths are currently employed.
He also disclosed that Nigeria has a higher burden of adolescent pregnancy and childbearing with 19 percent of teenagers (15-19) already mothers or pregnant with their first child.
He also disclosed that Nigeria has a higher burden of adolescent pregnancy and childbearing with 19 percent of teenagers (15-19) are already mothers or pregnant with their first child.
The event was organised by United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in collaboration with other UN agencies, Ministries of Health, Education, Network of Young People, and Civil Society Organisations.
Represented at the forum by the Head of Department of Family Health in the ministry, Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas-Kolo, the minister said pregnant adolescent girls have poor health-seeking behaviour, while about 32 percent of teenage women less than 20 years do not receive ante-natal care.
According to him, Nigeria has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world with an estimated 1.9 million people living with HIV/AIDS.
