Writing by Hudu Shehu; Editing by Abubakar Hamza.
The National Population Commission (NPC) has called for urgent and sustained investment in Nigeria’s young population, saying the country’s future depends on how well it empowers its youth.
The Federal Commissioner of the NPC in charge of Gombe state, Alh. Abubakar Danburam made the call while briefing newsmen on the commemoration of the 2026 World Population Day in Gombe.
According to Alhaji Abubakar Danburam said the theme of this year’s World Population Day is, “Realising the Hopes and Aspirations of Young People-Today and for the Future”, emphasised the need for governments and stakeholders to prioritise young people through quality education, healthcare, skills acquisition, employment opportunities and inclusive governance.
He described Nigeria’s youthful population as one of it’s greatest assets , noting that ,with an estimated population of 238 million people, the country has a unique opportunity to harness a demographic dividend capable of driving economic growth, innovation and sustainable development.
The NPC Federal Commissioner, further warned that the opportunity could be lost if young people continue to face barriers such as unemployment, poor access to education,healthcare, insecurity, and limited economic opportunities.
Alhaji Abubakar Danburam maintained that young people are not merely beneficiaries of development but innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders whose aspirations and contributions will determine Nigeria’s future.
He disclosed that the latest Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey showed the country’s Total Fertility Rate had declined from 5.3 to 4.8 children per woman, although adolescent fertility remains high at 15 per cent.
The Federal Commissioner noted that Nigeria still accounts for nearly 20 per cent of the global population of out-of-school children despite ongoing interventions.
Danburam highlighted several youth-focused initiatives under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, including the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme, which has certified 30,000 young Nigerians across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), expanded vocational training programmes, and efforts to increase youth representation in governance.
He stressed that the National Population Commission is strengthening the country’s Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system and the National Geospatial Data Repository to improve birth registration and provide reliable demographic data for planning.
Despite the progress, he identified infrastructure deficits, the high cost of living, insecurity, and implementation challenges as major obstacles to achieving better outcomes for young Nigerians.
The Commissioner also renewed the Commission’s call for a credible, technology-driven Population and Housing Census,adding that accurate population data remain essential for effective planning, equitable resource allocation and sustainable national development.
He urged governments at all levels to accelerate the implementation of policies that support young people and called for the speedy review of the National Youth Policy to reflect emerging realities.
