Oyo State has recorded a dramatic decline in female genital mutilation (FGM), falling from a prevalence of 70% in 2013 to 34% in 2020 and to just 18% in 2024, according to data presented at a multi‑sectoral symposium on “Leveraging Technology to End Gender‑Based Violence.”
The event, held at the Local Government Training Centre Secretariat on 8 December 2025, was organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion in collaboration with the Center for Promotion of Reproductive Health (CPRH) and supported by UNFPA as part of the Global 16 Days of Activism against Gender‑Based Violence.
A roadmap for zero tolerance
During the symposium, CPRH Director Emeritus Prof. Ojengbede unveiled the Oyo State Draft FGM Action Plan, a digital‑focused strategy aimed at eliminating FGM by 2030. The plan calls for:
– A statewide digital reporting system that enables health workers, community leaders and citizens to log FGM cases in real time.
– Online collaboration tools for policy documentation, data analysis and monitoring.
– Social‑media mobilisation campaigns to counter cultural misinformation and promote community‑led storytelling through platforms such as WhatsApp.
– Community‑based surveillance and early‑warning mechanisms linked to law‑enforcement agencies.
– Partnerships with NGOs, child‑welfare departments, youth clubs and the media to sustain awareness and ensure safe, confidential reporting.
Prof. Ojengbede urged all stakeholders to “make use of digital reporting to defeat and eliminate FGM before 2030,” stressing that technology must be paired with strong political will and community engagement.
Political commitment and legislative backing
Hon. Mrs Toyin Balogun, Commissioner for Women Affairs, reaffirmed the ministry’s pledge to end FGM, sexual violence and other forms of gender‑based violence by 2027. She highlighted Oyo’s leadership under Governor Engr Oluseyi Makinde, noting that the state’s adoption of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act in 2020 has created a legal foundation for enforcement.
“The statistics show that Oyo can achieve less than 10% prevalence soon, and we are working toward zero tolerance,” Mrs Balogun said. “We call on traditional rulers, religious leaders and all custodians of culture to reshape customary practices that perpetuate harm.”
Mrs Awosenusi of the Ministry of Justice led a panel discussion on strengthening state systems for the implementation of the VAPP Act, while Mr Kayode Alfred, Oyo State Commander of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), reiterated that FGM is a criminal offence under the VAPP Act and pledged robust enforcement.
Support from development partners
UNFPA Gender Analyst Mrs Uzoma Ayodeji praised the “drastic reduction” in FGM prevalence and commended the work of FGM champions, law‑enforcement agencies and the state government. She emphasised that the near‑universal adoption of the VAPP Act across 35 of Nigeria’s 36 states by mid‑2025 provides a strong legal platform, though effective implementation remains a challenge.
Community involvement and future steps
Traditional rulers, including President of the Council of Baales, Aarre Oladapo Wasiu, participated in the symposium, calling for the adoption of digital tools as “not optional but a necessity.” They pledged to create community WhatsApp groups for real‑time reporting and to support reorientation programmes that address cultural misconceptions.
The draft action plan will now be reviewed by the Ministry of Women Affairs, the House of Assembly Committee on Women’s Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the National Orientation Agency and other key stakeholders before finalisation and submission to the state cabinet.
With a clear roadmap, political will and a growing coalition of government, civil‑society and community partners, Oyo State aims to bring FGM prevalence to zero by 2030, turning a decade of progress into a lasting legacy of gender equality.
