Oyo State House of Assembly Retreat on Unplanned Pregnancy Bill
Report of the 2-Day Retreat of Oyo State House of Assembly Members on the Draft Bill Addressing Unplanned Pregnancy and Unsafe Abortion
ACCELERATING COMMUNITY COMMITMENT TOWARDS EXPANDING SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS IN OYO STATE (ACCESS PROJECT).
FUNDED BY AMPLIFYCHANGE
REPORT OF 2-DAY RETREAT FOR MEMBERS OF OYO STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY ON THE DRAFT FOR UNPLANNED PREGNANCY AND UNSAFE ABORTION BILL IN OYO STATE HELD AT MSQUARE HOTEL, IKEJA, LAGOS. IBADAN.
NOVEMBER 26TH – 27TH 2025.
PLAN Health Advocacy and Development Foundation conducted a two-day high-level retreat for Members of the Oyo State House of Assembly, marking a significant step toward strengthening reproductive health protections for women and girls in the state. The retreat focused on finalizing the Draft Oyo State Unplanned Pregnancy and Unsafe Abortion (Prevention and Regulation) Bill, 2025.
The retreat was held from 26–27 November 2025 at MSquare Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, and it provided a strategic platform for lawmakers and key stakeholders to conduct a final technical and legislative review of the bill ahead of its public hearing and presentation to the House of Assembly for final passing into law. The engagement was organized under the Accelerating Community Commitment Towards Expanding Sexual and Reproductive Health Services for Women and Girls in Oyo State (ACCESS) Project, implemented by PLAN Foundation.
Seven members of the Oyo State House of Assembly who are Chairpersons of key House Committees and Clerks of relevant House Committees participated in the retreat, alongside representatives from Oyo State Ministry of Education, Ministry of Women Affairs, Oyo State Ministry of Justice and the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board as well as five staff members of PLAN Foundation.
The bill, which has already been adopted as Members’ bill, is being sponsored by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Adebowale Ogundoyin; the Majority Leader; and the Chairpersons of the House Committees on Health, Education, Women Affairs, Justice, and Security.
DELIBERATIONS AT THE RETREAT
Deliberations at the retreat were anchored by Dr. Stella Akinso, a renowned public health expert, and Barrister Awosemusi Modupe, a gender and reproductive health rights activist and constitutional lawyer. The retreat featured participatory, evidence-driven sessions, including step-by-step reviews, plenary discussions, case illustrations, and question-and-answer engagements. This approach ensured shared understanding, clarity, and consensus among lawmakers on the intent and scope of the proposed bill.
At the commencement of the retreat, the Executive Director of PLAN Foundation highlighted the bill’s strategic importance in advancing the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls in Oyo State, describing it as a critical public health and social protection intervention.
Addressing Public Health Concerns
Presenting an overview of the ACCESS Project and the bill development process, Dr. Akinso explained that the draft bill emerged from an extensive consultation involving government institutions, civil society organizations, health professionals, and community representatives. She noted that the bill is designed to reduce unplanned pregnancies particularly among adolescents while addressing the high rates of morbidity and mortality associated with unsafe abortion in the state.
Drawing on data and public health evidence, Dr. Akinso highlighted the urgency of legislative action, linking the bill’s provisions to existing state health initiatives aimed at improving maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health outcomes. She also emphasized the importance of sustained community engagement, including outreach to traditional and religious leaders.
Legal Safeguards and Constitutional Alignment
Barrister Awosemusi Modupe led an in-depth session on the legal and constitutional framework guiding the bill. She clarified the legislative competence of the state, alignment with national laws, and consistency with international human rights standards. According to her, the bill contains safeguards to ensure ethical practice, accountability, and protection of vulnerable populations.
The Honorables were actively engaged during the review of key sessions, raising questions and proposing refinements, which were addressed through legal interpretations and practical explanations.
Building Stakeholder Support
An update on recent engagements with religious leaders was also presented by Mrs. Bose Ojo, Gender and Social Inclusion Officer at PLAN Foundation. She reported positive outcomes from the dialogue, including the release of a communiqué by the religious leaders affirming shared values around protecting women’s lives and dignity. The communiqué was formally presented to the lawmakers, who commended PLAN Foundation for the impressive level of stakeholder buy-in for the bill.
Day Two of the retreat focused on stakeholder engagement strategies, potential legal and socio-political challenges, and mitigation measures.
Sessions also addressed the socio-economic impact of unsafe abortion and the need for coordinated advocacy and clear public messaging.
The Advocacy, Strategic Communication, and Media Officer of PLAN Foundation, Mrs. Ifedayo Osemwegie further briefed participants on media engagement strategies, emphasizing proactive communication to promote public understanding and support for the bill.
Commitment to Next Steps
Closing the retreat, the Leader of the House, Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin, commended PLAN Foundation and the ACCESS Project for their technical support and inclusive approach. He reaffirmed the commitment of the Oyo State House of Assembly to advancing the bill and announced that the public hearing is expected to commence in January 2026, ahead of the third reading and final passage of the bill.
Overall, the retreat marked a significant milestone in Oyo State’s legislative efforts to address unplanned pregnancy and unsafe abortion. Stakeholders described the engagement as timely and impactful, strengthening collective resolve to improve sexual and reproductive health outcomes and safeguard the lives and dignity of women and girls across the state.
Ifedayo Osemwegie,
Advocacy, Strategic Communication and Media Officer.
About Us
PLAN Health Advocacy and Development Foundation (PLAN Foundation), was the first independent support group for people with HIV (PHIV) in Oyo State in Southwestern Nigeria. It is on record that we had the opportunity to participate actively and notably in most of these processes.
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