By Folasade Akpan
The National Population Commission (NPC) has emphasised Nigeria’s urgent need for a National Population and Housing Census, noting that credible, up-to-date data is critical for achieving the country’s overarching development priorities effectively.
Acting Chairman Muhammad Usman reiterated the necessity in Abuja during the sixth commemoration of the Nairobi Summit on the International Conference on Population and Development, also known as ICPD25.
The event carried the theme: “The Future Can’t Wait: Advancing Rights and Choices for Current and Future Generations,” underscoring the importance of protecting rights while ensuring development and opportunities for all citizens.
Usman described Nigeria as being at a “pivotal demographic moment”, marked by rapid population growth, a youthful population, and significant gaps in health, education, and access to sustainable economic opportunities nationwide.
“Nearly 70 per cent of Nigerians are under 30 years old, offering one of the greatest demographic opportunities globally, but only if investments focus decisively on education, well-being, and youth empowerment programmes,” he said.
Usman highlighted that maternal deaths, gender-based violence, and limited voluntary family planning services continued to hinder national progress, creating urgent challenges that demanded immediate and sustained policy and developmental responses.
He stressed that the absence of updated population data, given that the last census was 19 years ago, continued to impede effective planning, resource allocation, and the delivery of essential public services.
“A national census is not simply a statistical exercise; it forms the foundation for understanding our population, where citizens live, and the critical needs of communities for targeted development interventions.
“Without accurate population data, initiatives to improve maternal health, expand family planning, or combat gender-based violence cannot be scaled or effectively directed, reducing the impact of development programmes across the country,” Usman explained.
Usman reaffirmed that the NPC was prepared to conduct a digital, inclusive, and credible census, ensuring every Nigerian was counted and considered in national development planning and policy formulation processes.
He highlighted progress in developing Nigeria’s National Action Plan to implement ICPD25 commitments, along with a complementary Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, designed to track achievements and ensured accountability in delivering national priorities.
Mr Koessan Kuawu, UNFPA Deputy Representative in Nigeria, emphasised the newly released ICPD30 report, “The Future Can’t Wait,” stressing the urgent need for action across multiple population and development priority areas in Nigeria.
He stressed that urgent interventions were required for women relying on maternal healthcare, youth whose potential shaped the nation, and communities still awaiting accurate population recognition, data, and effective public service provision.
Kuawu identified six global priorities: sexual and reproductive health rights, gender equality, strengthened population data systems, universal SRH service access, climate-resilient gender responses, and leveraging technology for inclusive national development initiatives.
“Without credible, reliable population data, including a national census, policymakers cannot fully see citizens’ needs, nor can effective programmes be designed or delivered to meet Nigeria’s true developmental and social requirements,” he said.
He added that UNFPA supports Nigeria’s ICPD25 Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, which provides a clear roadmap for tracking progress, identifying gaps, strengthening coordination, and ensuring measurable outcomes for women, girls, and youth.
Dr Salma Anas-Kolo, Special Adviser to the President on Health, emphasised that Nigeria’s ICPD25 commitments span health, education, economic development, poverty reduction, and overall national growth, highlighting long-term benefits for communities and the nation.
Represented by Dr Sa’adatu Sule, she noted persistent maternal deaths, low family planning uptake, and widespread gender-based violence as ongoing challenges, driven by sociocultural norms, security issues, and health system weaknesses nationwide.
She added that those challenges were exacerbated by equipment shortages, insufficient supplies, manpower gaps, and weak data management systems, which collectively limited the effectiveness of health, family planning, and GBV-related interventions.
Anas-Kolo outlined the Renewed Hope Agenda, prioritising healthcare improvement, women and girls’ protection, and the expansion of maternal health, family planning, and GBV response services through targeted national programmes and initiatives.
She highlighted initiatives such as MAMII, BHCPF, RenewHER, the National Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy, and a basket fund for family planning commodities, all aimed at improving health outcomes and empowering women nationwide.
“The government is also prioritising girls’ education and women’s empowerment as key strategies for ending gender-based violence, alongside strengthening the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs to coordinate the national response effectively.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for Nigeria’s ICPD25 National Action Plan was officially launched during the event, marking a significant step in implementing development commitments.
The framework outlines how progress will be tracked, data collected and reported, and stakeholders coordinated to ensure that Nigeria’s ICPD25 commitments are fully implemented and the intended impact is realised nationwide. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru
