The chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Hon. Nasir Kwarra has called for urgent strategic investments in healthcare, education, climate resilience and data-driven policies to mitigate the challenges posed by Nigeria’s rapidly growing population.
Speaking at the 13th Annual International Conference of the Population Institute of Nigeria on Monday in Abuja, Kwarra warned that without deliberate policy interventions, the country’s demographic expansion could worsen social and economic inequalities.
He noted that Nigeria’s population is projected to exceed 450 million by 2050, making it crucial to harness its youthful population for economic transformation.
“The fundamental question before us is whether our population growth will become a driver of economic progress or deepen existing socioeconomic disparities,” he said.
Kwarra identified maternal and child health as a pressing issue, highlighting that Nigeria still records one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally. Citing the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), he noted that maternal mortality had declined from 576 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2013 to 512 per 100,000 in 2018, but stressed that more targeted interventions were needed.
“Access to quality maternal healthcare, particularly in rural areas, remains inadequate. Too many women still die from preventable childbirth complications. Strengthening healthcare infrastructure, improving access to skilled birth attendants, and expanding emergency obstetric services are non-negotiable if we are to reverse this trend,” he emphasised.
Kwarra also highlighted climate change as a major factor impacting Nigeria’s population dynamics, with serious implications for food security, water availability, and human safety. He stressed the need for climate resilience strategies to safeguard natural resources and promote sustainable development.
“As climate change continues to impact food security, water availability, and human safety, adopting climate resilience strategies is essential. Proactive policies must be implemented to enhance environmental sustainability, including encouraging renewable energy adoption, promoting afforestation, and enforcing land-use regulations,” he stated. He urged stakeholders to integrate climate resilience with population management strategies to ensure a sustainable future for Nigeria’s growing population. The NPC chairman also addressed the issue of family planning and reproductive health choices, pointing out that Nigeria’s contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) among married women remains low at just 20 per cent. He noted significant disparities between rural and urban areas, stating that contraceptive use in rural areas stands at just 5.6 per cent compared to 3.9 per cent in urban areas. This gap, he said, contributes to higher birth rates and places greater strain on the nation’s health system. Kwarra called for expanded access to family planning services, emphasizing that empowering women with contraceptive choices and reproductive health education would help regulate birth rates and improve family well-being.
The rapid expansion of Nigerian cities due to rural-to-urban and urban-to-urban migration was another major concern raised by Kwarra. He noted that cities like Lagos, Kano, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kaduna are experiencing overcrowding, inadequate housing, and limited access to essential services such as water, electricity and healthcare.
“Unplanned urbanisation is leading to the proliferation of informal settlements, environmental degradation and a decline in the quality of life. We must integrate smart urban planning strategies and invest in modern infrastructure to support our growing cities,” he urged. To effectively address Nigeria’s demographic challenges, Kwarra underscored the importance of accurate and reliable data in informing policy decisions.
He emphasised that demographic insights should guide investments in education, job creation, and public services to ensure inclusive growth. “With one of the youngest populations in the world, Nigeria’s youth represent a powerful force for innovation and economic transformation. However, without adequate education, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, this potential could turn into a crisis,” he warned. Kwarra urged collaboration between the government, private sector, and civil society to harness Nigeria’s demographic potential for sustainable development. He stressed that strategic investments in healthcare, family planning, urban planning and youth development are crucial to ensuring that population growth translates into economic prosperity rather than a burden on national resources. “Nigeria’s population is both a challenge and an opportunity. It is up to us to make the right investments now to secure a prosperous future for the nation,” he added.
