Variable implementation of Family Life and HIV Education (FLHE) across states in Nigeria: the Kano, Lagos and Niger examples

Michael Kunnuji, University of Lagos
Rachel S. Robinson, American University
Jeremy Shiffman, American University
Yusra Shawar, American University

In Nigeria, the Family Life and HIV Education (FLHE) was incorporated into the curriculum at the national level despite strong oppositions based on perceived dissonance between its contents and cultural standards for behaviour. Recent studies suggest variance in its implementation across the states of the federation. This study set out to document factors responsible for the variable implementation of FLHE in Nigeria. Interviews were conducted with persons involved in the scaling up and implementation of FLHE at the federal and state levels. Process tracing was adopted as the analytical technique of the study. The results of the study suggest that variations in the success of multi-sectoral programming; socio-cultural diversity; and the multi-layer filtering system are jointly associated with the observed variable implementation of FLHE. We recommend greater emphasis on understanding the challenges of multi-sectoral programming and de-westernization of similar intervention programmes as ways of ensuring their success.