The Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Identity and Population, Sen. Victor Umeh, has reiterated the call for a credible and timely population and housing census in Nigeria.
He said such a census was essential to support national planning and youth-focused development, especially in a country where accurate data was key to equitable resource distribution and effective policy implementation.
Speaking in Abuja at the commemoration of World Population Day 2025, Umeh said reliable data was crucial for inclusive development, equitable resource allocation, and responsive policymaking.
The theme of 2025 event is “Empowering Young People to Create the Families They Want in a Fair and Hopeful World.”
“With more than half of our population under 30, Nigeria’s demographic future depends on its youth.
“But to empower them, we must be guided by reliable disaggregated data,” Umeh said.
He stressed the need for proper planning across all age groups, particularly in areas such as housing, education, and healthcare, warning that without accurate data, development efforts risked being misdirected.
Also speaking, Rep. Okunjimi Odimayo, Chairman of the House Committee on National Population and Identity, said the absence of accurate statistics hampered effective planning.
“Without timely data, we risk building policies on assumptions,” he said, urging President Bola Tinubu to prioritise the national census.
Both lawmakers pledged the National Assembly’s commitment to provide the legal and policy support needed to ensure timely, reliable data collection and youth-driven development.
The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Mr Nasir Kwarra, noted that more than 60 per cent of Nigeria’s population was under age 30, describing it as a major opportunity for national progress.
“These are not just statistics. They are students, workers, and future leaders.
“Investing in their health, education, and employment is key to unlocking Nigeria’s demographic potential,” Kwarra said.
Referencing the 2022 NPC estimate of 216.8 million people, Kwarra said 64.4 million fell within the 15–29 age brackets as defined by the National Youth Policy.
He called for stronger investment in youth services and infrastructure.
UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr Mohamed Fall, represented by Elsie Attafuah of the UNDP, said youth in Nigeria faced significant challenges, including lack of access to reproductive health services and education.
Citing the 2025 State of World Population Report, Fall said early marriage, financial barriers, and social pressures limited young people, especially girls, from achieving their desired family size.
“This is not just a health issue, but a development emergency.
“Empowering young people, particularly girls, is one of the smartest investments a country can make,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr Koessan Kuawu, Officer-in-Charge of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) in Nigeria, said the real fertility crisis lied in the lack of reproductive agency among young people.
He said that, citing national survey data, only 15 per cent of adolescents aged 15–19 who wanted family planning were served by modern methods.
He added that the figure increased slightly to 30.5 per cent for those aged 20–24, highlighting a significant gap in access to reproductive health services for young people.
“Young people are often blamed for population trends, yet lack the tools to make informed choices.
“It’s time for policy to reflect their real needs and aspirations,” Kuawu said.
He called for a shift toward policies that empowered youth, ensured informed decisions, and secured a more hopeful future for Nigeria’s next generation. (NAN)
