National Population Commission (NPC) has reaffirmed its commitment to not only counting young people through data but empowering them to actively shape their futures through access to education, reproductive health, and economic opportunities.
At the national commemoration of the 2025 World Population Day in Abuja, NPC chairman, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra, said Nigeria must prioritise the needs and aspirations of its over 130 million youth in development planning.
“Empowering young people is not just about services; it is about listening to them. They want to lead, innovate, and build families on their own terms. We must ensure that Nigeria is not just youthful, but hopeful,” Kwarra said.
This year’s global theme, “Empowering Young People to Create the Families They Want in a Fair and Hopeful World,” resonated strongly with the realities of Nigeria’s population structure.
With more than 60% of Nigerians under age 30, speakers stressed the urgency of translating data into action through investments in reproductive health, quality education, employment, and identity registration.
Chairman Kwarra concluded with a rallying call: “Together, let us build a Nigeria where every young person, from Lagos to Lafia, can create the future they envision, not just be counted in it.”
The minister of Women Affairs, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, highlighted the challenges faced by millions of women and girls—particularly in rural areas—who lack official identification, which excludes them from healthcare, financial access, and social protection.
“When every woman and girl is counted, empowered, and protected, our nation becomes stronger, fairer, and more prosperous,” she said, calling for mobile registration services and cross-sector collaboration to reach underserved communities.
Echoing these sentiments, chairman of the Senate Committee on National Identity and Population, Sen. Victor Umeh, underscored the importance of credible census data for shaping youth-responsive policies.
“To empower our youth, we must be guided by reliable data. That starts with a timely, inclusive Population and Housing Census,” Umeh said, adding that the National Assembly would continue to support legislation that strengthens the NPC’s mandate.
Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande also emphasised that empowerment must be matched with tangible action.
He cited the Ministry’s YO-HEALTH initiative, which addresses youth health challenges including reproductive health, substance abuse, and health insurance coverage for youth in the informal sector.
“Our young people must have access to the tools and choices that allow them to build families with dignity and confidence,” he said.
Beyond speeches, the event served as a platform for dialogue among stakeholders from government, civil society, and development partners. It reinforced the need for sustained investment in data-driven policies and youth development strategies that align with Nigeria’s demographic profile.
