Nigeria has joined the global community to commemorate the 2025 World Population Day, a day set aside to raise awareness about population dynamics and their impact on human rights, sustainable development, and national progress.
The Chairman of the National Population Commission, Mr Nasir Kwarra, who spoke at a press briefing in Abuja, said Nigeria is at a pivotal moment in its demographic journey.
“With over 60 percent of our population under the age of 30, we stand on the brink of a transformative demographic transition — one that presents both immense opportunity and significant challenges,” he said.
Mr Kwarra added that Nigeria’s youthful and vibrant population has the potential to drive national development.
This year’s theme, “Empowering Young People to Create the Families They Want in a Fair and Hopeful World,” reflects the need for targeted action.
“World Population Day 2025 is a call to action for government, civil society, development partners, and the private sector to recommit to creating a just and supportive environment where young people are empowered with knowledge, supported by opportunity, and protected by rights,” Mr Kwarra said.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Nigeria, marking the event, emphasised the need for government and partners to prioritise empowering young people to make informed choices about their reproductive lives, rather than imposing barriers or misguided expectations.
UNFPA Nigeria Deputy Representative and Officer-in-Charge, Mr Koessan Kuawu, said: “This year’s focus highlights the global discussion around population trends, stressing that the real ‘fertility crisis’ is a lack of reproductive agency and the inability of young people to create the families they desire.”
He cited the recent UNFPA State of World Population report, which showed that one in five people under 50 expect to have a family size different from their ideal — with most anticipating fewer children — driven by financial stress, health concerns, and societal pressures.
Mr Kuawu said these challenges are particularly significant for Nigerian adolescents and young adults.
The Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey reveals a notable unmet need for family planning among young people — 12.2% for those aged 15-19 and 16.1% for those aged 20-24.
Only 15% of demand for family planning is met with modern methods among 15-19-year-olds, and 30.5% among 20-24-year-olds. While 22.2% of sexually active unmarried adolescents (15-19) and 28.2% of young adults (20-24) currently use modern methods, access and choice remain limited.
At the launch of the 2025 State of the World Population Report, Mr Kuawu said: “The narrative around population often misattributes fertility rates to free choice, ignoring the complex realities young Nigerians face. Financial insecurity, limited access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, and societal pressures often restrict their ability to make decisions about their bodies and futures. We must create an environment where young people are supported, not blamed, for their fertility decisions.”
UNFPA Nigeria has therefore called for investments in youths, providing secure jobs, sufficient income for housing, and affordable living conditions — to help young people achieve financial stability and broaden their choices regarding family planning.
PIAK