…Chairman unveils data-driven strategy on 2025 WPD
Nigeria’s demographic future hangs in the balance as over 60 percent of the population is now under the age of 30, a statistic that the National Population Commission (NPC) says could be either a massive development opportunity or a ticking time bomb, depending on what the country does next.
Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra, Chairman of the NPC, issued this warning Thursday in Abuja, during a press briefing to mark the 2025 World Population Day (WPD) with the theme, “Empowering Young People to Create the Families They Want in a Fair and Hopeful World”.
Kwarra described Nigeria as standing on the brink of ‘a transformative opportunity and a significant challenge” that demands strategic and coordinated action.
“Our youthful and vibrant population has the potential to be a powerful driver of national development. However, to harness this promise, we must address the structural barriers that limit young people’s ability to make informed and voluntary decisions about their lives, livelihoods, and reproductive choices,” he said.
Kwarra noted Nigeria’s youth bulge, stressing that widespread youth unemployment, limited access to quality education and healthcare, gender-based discrimination, and social marginalization are threatening to turn this demographic dividend into a crisis.
“Far too many of our young people face multiple constraints… These realities threaten to turn our potential demographic dividend into a demographic burden if left unaddressed,” he warned.
To respond to this urgency, the NPC is implementing a three-pronged strategy focused on revitalizing demographic data systems, starting with the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system, which Kwarra described as the foundation for inclusive governance.
“A birth certificate is not just a document. It represents the first formal recognition of a citizen by the state. It serves as a gateway to essential rights and services… Without it, individuals risk remaining invisible in the eyes of policymakers,” Kwarra said.
In collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Interior, and development partners, the Commission is rolling out digital registration points in hospitals and communities across Nigeria. These efforts are already enhancing planning for child health services, school enrollment, and social protection programs.
The second strategy is the implementation of Nigeria’s first fully digital Population and Housing Census, a landmark exercise that will collect granular data on age, gender, education, housing, and access to services.
“Such data is indispensable for evidence-based planning, particularly in youth-focused sectors like education, health, employment, and skills development,” the NPC boss noted.
He commended the federal government for its backing, saying the commitment to data-driven governance was evident in both political will and financial investment.
The third strategic pillar is the National Geospatial Data Repository, a digital platform combining census and CRVS data with geographic mapping tools to identify underserved communities and track service delivery in real-time.
“With the strong backing of the Federal Government and the support of key partners, this innovation enhances our capacity to implement targeted interventions, especially in areas with high youth populations and limited infrastructure,” he added.
These efforts align closely with the recently launched 2025 State of the World Population (SWOP) Report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which also places a spotlight on reproductive health agency and data-driven planning.
During the SWOP report launch in Abuja last month, Kwarra emphasized the deep personal and national stakes of reproductive health decisions.
“Behind every number is a person a woman, a family, a future. In Nigeria, this question is not theoretical it is real, it is urgent, and it is deeply personal,” he stated.
The 2023–2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), released earlier this year, revealed troubling indicators: the national Total Fertility Rate (TFR) declined from 5.3 to 4.8 children per woman, adolescent fertility remains high at 15%, while modern contraceptive prevalence among married women lingers at 15%, far below the national target of 27% by 2030.
“The unmet need for family planning has risen to 21%, reflecting significant gaps in service availability and accessibility, alongside a growing willingness to use these services,” Kwarra noted.
“These statistics represent more than numbers they tell the stories of young girls forced into early motherhood, women unable to space or limit pregnancies, and families striving to make reproductive decisions without adequate support.”
Kwarra stressed that the “real fertility crisis” was not about how many children Nigerians are having, but about the barriers they face in making those choices freely and safely.
“The 2025 SWOP Report rightly calls for a shift from policies focused on fertility rates to policies focused on reproductive agency. When people are able to make informed choices about their reproductive lives, they are more likely to invest in their education, in their families, and in their communities,” he said.
As part of the World Population Day activities, the NPC in collaboration with UNFPA has organized youth consultations, media campaigns, community forums, and stakeholder dialogues to amplify youth voices and promote reproductive health rights.
“We sincerely commend the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for its steadfast support in promoting reproductive health, strengthening demographic data systems, and advancing youth empowerment in Nigeria,” Kwarra stated.
The NPC Chairman therefore called on all sectors; government, civil society, the private sector, and religious and traditional institutions to act decisively in empowering Nigerian youth.
“Empowering our youth is not a choice, it is an existential imperative. It demands collective resolve, evidence-based action, and a steadfast commitment to justice and opportunity,” Kwarra affirmed”.
In his goodwill message the Deputy Representative and Officer-in-Charge, UNFPA Nigeria, Mr. Koessan Kuawu, echoed the urgency of supporting youth reproductive choices with policy and action, not judgment.
“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,” he said.
“We must create an environment where young people are supported, not blamed, for their fertility decisions,” he urged
Hon. Kuawu highlighted the alarming data from NDHS on unmet family planning needs among adolescents and young adults in Nigeria. He called for robust interventions, including greater investments in youth-friendly healthcare services, comprehensive sexuality education, and policies that bridge generational divides and economic gaps.
“Starting this World Population Day, let us commit to listening to what young people in Nigeria want and need. Let’s create choices, not barriers, so they can thrive and build a hopeful future for themselves and generations to come,” he said.