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UNFPA to FG: End Population Estimates, Deliver Accurate Census Figures

Published

4 months ago

July 8, 2026

Joel Ajayi

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has called on the Federal Government to end reliance on population estimates by conducting a credible, technology-driven national census, insisting that accurate demographic data is indispensable for effective planning, equitable resource allocation and sustainable development.

The appeal was made on Wednesday in Abuja during a joint press briefing by the National Population Commission (NPC) and UNFPA ahead of the 2026 World Population Day (WPD), to be observed on July 11 with the theme: “Realizing the Hopes and Aspirations of Young People – Today and for the Future.”

Speaking at the briefing, UNFPA Resident Representative in Nigeria, Muriel Mafico, said Nigeria must stop guessing its population figures and instead invest in robust demographic data systems to support evidence-based policymaking.

“We should not be guessing. Are we 240 million? Are we 250 million? Are we going to be 450 million by 2050? We should not be guessing because the tools and knowledge for understanding population already exist,” she said.

Mafico explained that Nigeria has already begun producing demographic profiles at the state level, describing the initiative as a critical step towards building a unified and reliable national data system.

She noted that UNFPA’s Global Demographic Futures Survey, which covered more than 100,000 respondents across 73 countries, including several in West and Southern Africa, showed that despite economic challenges, many young people remain optimistic about their future.

According to her, Nigeria’s youthful population represents one of its greatest assets, provided government invests strategically in education, healthcare, skills acquisition and job creation.

She disclosed that over 73 million Nigerians are below the age of 24, but expressed concern that about 12 per cent of young people are neither in education, employment nor training (NEET), while 93 per cent of employed youths work in the informal sector.

Mafico urged governments at all levels to strengthen the implementation of youth-focused policies, improve access to quality education, healthcare, affordable housing and social protection, while creating a peaceful and secure environment that enables young people to thrive.

Earlier, Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Dr. Aminu Yusuf, stressed that Nigeria’s estimated population of about 242 million makes it Africa’s most populous nation, with nearly 30 per cent of its citizens aged between 15 and 29 years.

He said the country’s greatest advantage lies not in the size of its population but in how effectively it develops and empowers its youth.

“Our future will not be determined by the size of our population alone, but by the opportunities available to our young people. They must be healthy, educated, skilled and productively engaged if Nigeria is to reap the benefits of its demographic dividend,” Yusuf stated.

The NPC chairman acknowledged ongoing youth-focused interventions under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, including the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), expanded vocational training initiatives and the modernisation of the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system.

However, he warned that persistent challenges such as unemployment, underemployment, insecurity, inadequate infrastructure and the rising cost of living continue to limit the country’s ability to harness its demographic potential.

Yusuf reiterated the commission’s call for a credible, technology-driven Population and Housing Census, stressing that reliable population figures are essential for national planning, policy formulation, economic development and efficient distribution of public resources.

The 2026 World Population Day celebration on July 11 is expected to provide another platform for stakeholders to deepen conversations on population management, youth empowerment and the importance of accurate census data in driving Nigeria’s long-term development.

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DNKI President Champions Humanitarian Service, Sustainable Community Development

Published

18 hours ago

October 21, 2026

The Gleamer

Cyril Samania

The President of De Norsemen Kclub International (DNKI), Chief Oliver Patrick Ityohegh, has reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to humanitarian service, stressing the importance of supporting vulnerable people and improving community welfare beyond the annual celebration of Humanitarian Day.

Ityohegh stated this during the organisation’s Cauldron Night and Award Presentation held to commemorate its 2026 Humanitarian Day celebration, theme: “Humanity First: Advancing Hope, Dignity and Community Well-being.” organised by the DNKI Abuja Chapter.

He emphasised that humanitarian service should be a continuous responsibility driven by compassion, solidarity and a commitment to making a meaningful difference in society.

According to him, DNKI’s humanitarian activities reflect its dedication to giving back to society and supporting people in need, while encouraging members to sustain initiatives that promote human dignity and community well-being.

He added that the organisation would continue to strengthen its humanitarian engagements through practical interventions aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable people and promoting community development.

Speaking at the event, the representative of the Abuja Chapter Chairman and Chairman of its Advisory Council, Prince Efiong Okpe, said the organisation’s humanitarian activities extended beyond the annual celebration of Humanitarian Day on October 15.

Okpe explained that DNKI undertook several initiatives throughout the year, including blood donation exercises, visits to hospitals and correctional centres, as well as support for orphanages and other vulnerable groups.

According to him, the organisation also collaborated with humanitarian bodies in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to identify areas of need and provide assistance within its available resources.

He described Humanitarian Day as an opportunity for members to renew their commitment to service and demonstrate solidarity with people facing difficult circumstances.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Planning Committee and Coordinator of the DNKI Gwagwalada Zone, Mr Etudaiye Hamzat, disclosed that the chapter had provided financial assistance to some members to help pay their children’s school fees, alongside distributing bags of rice and other relief items to members experiencing hardship.

Hamzat explained that the interventions followed concerns over the difficulties some members faced in meeting their family responsibilities, particularly the rising cost of their children’s education.

He maintained that supporting members in need was consistent with the organisation’s humanitarian principles, adding that DNKI remained committed to extending assistance to non-members and vulnerable communities as part of its commitment to leading by example.

Looking ahead, Hamzat said the Abuja Chapter planned to expand its humanitarian outreach to remote communities within the FCT, with particular attention to orphanages, schools and widows facing difficulties in meeting their family responsibilities.

He also recalled previous interventions for internally displaced persons (IDPs), which included the distribution of food, clothing and educational materials, noting that the chapter intended to scale up such initiatives in the coming year.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to outstanding members and distinguished non-members in recognition of their contributions to humanitarian service.

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