Digital health startup GoMed Nigeria has launched a digital self-care platform designed to give young people easier and more private access to essential health products, including contraceptives, along with accurate information and professional support. The pilot, launched in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Lagos State Government, initially targets students at the University of Lagos.

Nigeria has one of the largest youth populations in the world, with a median age of roughly 18, making university campuses a strategic channel for reaching young adults with health services. Young Nigerians face some of the highest rates of unintended pregnancy and unmet need for contraception globally. Barriers such as cost, distance, stigma, misinformation, and confidentiality concerns routinely prevent students from seeking the products and guidance they need. The consequences include unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, sexually transmitted infections, and interrupted education.

GoMed's platform is designed to systematically remove these obstacles. Through the platform, students receive free contraceptives and other sexual and reproductive health commodities supplied by the Lagos State Ministry of Health and UNFPA. Students also gain access to exclusive discounts on health essentials and fast, discreet delivery directly to campus locations and student hostels. The initiative reflects a broader trend of African health tech startups leveraging mobile-first delivery to close gaps in access to care, an approach the World Health Organization has promoted through its self-care guidelines for health and well-being.

"Students should be able to get reliable health information and essential products without cost, distance or fear of judgement becoming barriers. This platform brings free sexual and reproductive health commodities, other affordable health products and professional guidance together, with discreet delivery directly to students on campus," said Anthony Edeki, CEO of GoMed Nigeria.

Digital Access to Trusted Sexual Health Information

Beyond contraceptives and physical products, the platform connects students to trusted sexual and reproductive health information and services through UNFPA's SoftLife 247 and U-Plan platforms. Through U-PLAN, students can chat directly with qualified Family Planning Service Providers to receive accurate information and have their concerns addressed in real time. Students can also consult GoMed's registered pharmacists for confidential, judgement-free guidance on medicines and other health products.

The partnership advances UNFPA's broader goal of ending unmet need for family planning by tackling the "last mile" challenge — translating the availability of free family planning commodities into measurably increased uptake among young people. It also reinforces the Lagos State Government's commitment to reducing unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among youth, keeping students enrolled in school, and expanding access to quality, youth-friendly health services at scale.

Muriel Mafico, Resident Representative of UNFPA in Nigeria, emphasized the agency's mandate for sexual and reproductive health and rights, noting its commitment to reducing preventable maternal deaths and addressing unmet family planning needs, including the provision and oversight of life-saving commodities worldwide.

"Working alongside our partners, we are helping roll out the digital Self-Care Platform—so that vital, life-changing information can reach more people, more easily. Together, we want to empower Nigeria's next generation to make informed health choices and achieve stronger health outcomes and a brighter future," Mafico said.

The initial rollout is currently available to students at the University of Lagos. GoMed and its partners intend to use this pilot as a foundation to extend the model to additional university communities across Lagos State and the wider Nigerian higher education landscape. If the model proves effective, it could offer a replicable template for other states and institutions working to address similar gaps in youth-friendly health access.

More information about GoMed Nigeria is available at gomed.ng.