By Rayyanu Bala

In a nation where adolescent health has too often been relegated to the periphery of policy and program implementation, recent strides in Nasarawa State mark a watershed moment, one defined not just by promising initiatives, but by the caliber of leadership driving them. At the top of this momentum is Dr. Usman Iskilu Saleh, the Executive Secretary of the Nasarawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency (NAPHDA), whose vision and dedication have played a pivotal role in positioning adolescent health where it belongs: at the center of public health discourse.

Dr. Saleh’s leadership has been instrumental in catalyzing a new era of strategic partnerships, the most recent being the collaboration between NAPHDA and international health organization Acasus. Their joint mission, to eliminate cervical cancer in Nasarawa state through widespread HPV vaccination, isn’t merely about rolling out a vaccine; it’s about overhauling how immunization programs are designed and delivered. This shift toward system-building, healthcare worker training, and community engagement would not have been possible without a forward-thinking commitments of the state government under Engr Abdullahi Sule which understands the urgency of adolescent health.

The Acasus partnership, backed by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is particularly significant for what it represents: a break from one-dimensional interventions toward a holistic approach. Under Dr. Saleh’s stewardship, NAPHDA is championing the idea that effective immunization must be rooted in data, technical support, and above all, local context. By aligning with state-level actors in Nasarawa, the agency is enabling not just access to the HPV vaccine but fostering a sustainable, community-based model of health promotion.

Moreover, the synergy between this vaccination initiative and Tiko Africa’s proposed interventions around HIV, unplanned pregnancies, and gender-based violence reflects an integrated strategy that recognizes the interconnectedness of adolescent health challenges. It’s a welcome departure from fragmented efforts and a sign of political will aligning with technical expertise.

Tackling the “Triple Threat” requires bold conversations around sexuality, reproductive rights, and health access. Topics often avoided in public discourse. That Nasarawa State is stepping into this space is commendable. That it’s doing so with the active support of an agency like NAPHDA speaks volumes about Dr. Saleh’s commitment to inclusive and transformative healthcare.

But this moment is indeed, a call to action for other states and indeed the entire health sector to emulate this model. The lesson here is clear: Strategic partnerships, anchored in responsive leadership and community engagement, can dismantle long-standing barriers to adolescent well-being.

Dr. Usman Iskilu Saleh deserves particular commendation for not only recognizing the urgency of adolescent health but for acting decisively to make it a state priority through the active support of
His Excellency Engr. Abdullahi sule, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa state. These efforts no doubt has set a precedent, not just for cervical cancer prevention, but for how Nasarawa state can and must approach the broader health needs of its youth population.

Now, as these initiatives transition from policy to practice, the focus must remain on inclusive execution. Success will hinge on sustained funding, transparent monitoring, and grassroots ownership. With Dr. Saleh at the helm, there is hope, not just for Nasarawa, but for adolescents across Nigeria.

The time to walk the talk is now. And thanks to leadership of Dr. Usman Iskilu Saleh for making the path more clearer and more indepth ever in the history of the agency in Nasarawa state.