Stakeholders in Nigeria’s population sector have called on the Federal Government to urgently conduct a National Population and Housing Census, insisting it is critical to harnessing the country’s demographic dividend.
The call was made in Abuja during an event to commemorate the 2025 World Population Day, where participants stressed that credible demographic data is essential for national planning and sustainable development.
Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Mr. Nasir Kwarra, said although the World Population Day is globally observed on July 11, Nigeria must reflect deeply on the significance of this year’s theme — “Empowering Young People to Create the Families They Want in a Fair and Hopeful World.”
Kwarra noted that investing in young people and protecting their reproductive rights and aspirations remains one of Nigeria’s most pressing development priorities.
He warned that while global population growth is slowing and ageing populations are a concern in many countries, Nigeria’s youthful population presents both a challenge and a unique opportunity.
“More than 60% of Nigeria’s population is under the age of 30 — that’s over 130 million young people whose dreams, potential, and aspirations must be at the centre of our national development agenda,” he stated.
Kwarra said Nigeria’s youth — defined in the Nigeria Youth Policy (2024-2028) as those aged 15-29 — constitute 28.9% of the population, estimated at 64.4 million people.
“These are not just statistics. They are our students, our workers, and our future leaders. This is not a crisis, but a powerful opportunity. If properly harnessed, this demographic structure can drive innovation, productivity, and inclusive growth,” Kwarra emphasised.
He urged stakeholders to prioritise investments in quality education, skills development, sexual and reproductive health, family planning, and governance reforms that foster youth participation.
Kwarra said the 2025 State of World Population Report shows young people globally are not simply opting for fewer children by choice but are often constrained by uncertain futures, limited access to healthcare, education, employment, and affordable housing.
He stressed that Nigeria must tackle these concerns with empathy, innovation, and data-driven solutions, adding that development partners, civil society, and the private sector have a role in creating fairness, opportunity, and intergenerational equity.
The NPC Chairman reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to generating accurate and disaggregated population data to support evidence-based policies, saying Nigeria’s future hinges on empowering its young people.
“Together, we can make Nigeria not just a youthful nation, but a hopeful one,” he said.
UN Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Representative, Mr. Koesan Kuawu, also called for urgent family-friendly policies and investments in youth, reiterating the need for a national census to guide Nigeria’s development.
Similarly, Chairman of the House Committee on National Identity and Population, Mr. Okunjimi Odimayo, urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure the conduct of a national census, describing it as vital for credible data, national planning, and sustainable growth.
PIAK