NPC REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO POPULATION RIGHTS, MATERNAL HEALTH AND GENDER EQUALITY AT ICPD25+6 COMMEMORATION

The Acting Chairman of National Population Commission (NPC), Hon. Muhammad Usman Dattijo, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to advancing population rights, maternal health, and gender equality as the nation marked the sixth anniversary of the 2019 Nairobi Summit on ICPD25.

Speaking at the event themed “The Future Can’t Wait: Advancing Rights and Choices for Current and Future Generations” at Nicon Luxury in Abuja, today, 26th November 2025, Hon. Dattijo emphasized that Nigeria remains firm in its adherence to the principles of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). He noted that the country continues to pursue three transformative goals: achieving zero preventable maternal deaths, eliminating the unmet need for family planning, and ending gender-based violence and harmful practices.

“These commitments remain as relevant today as they were in 2019 because they speak to the heart of sustainable development and are the foundation of a just, prosperous, and equitable society,” he stated.

Hon. Dattijo described Nigeria’s demographic landscape as both a challenge and an opportunity, noting that with nearly 70 per cent of the population under 30 years old, the country’s future depends heavily on investments in young people’s health, education, and empowerment.

While acknowledging progress over the years, he expressed concern that maternal mortality, gender-based violence, and limited access to family planning services remain persistent challenges.

“Too many women continue to lose their lives to preventable causes,” he lamented, stressing the need for renewed national action to safeguard women’s health and rights.

The Acting NPC Chairman also underscored the crucial role of accurate population data in driving effective planning and development. He noted that Nigeria’s last national census, conducted nearly two decades ago, has limited the government’s ability to design and deliver evidence-based policies.

“A national census is not simply a statistical exercise; it is the foundation for understanding who we are, where we live, and what our communities need,” he said, reaffirming the Commission’s resolve to deliver a digital, inclusive, and credible national census that ensures every Nigerian is counted.

Hon. Dattijo commended the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and other development partners for their continued collaboration and support. He revealed that with UNFPA’s technical assistance, the NPC has developed a National Action Plan and a Monitoring and Evaluation Framework to translate Nigeria’s ICPD25 commitments into measurable progress.

Hon. Dattijo described the commemoration as “a call to action rather than a celebration,” and appreciated the contributions of civil society organizations, academia, youth groups, the media, and development partners in advancing population and development priorities.

“We must build a nation where every woman survives childbirth, where everyone can make informed choices about their health and family, and where every girl grows up free from violence and harmful practices,” he concluded.

In his remarks, Mr. Koessan Kuawu, Deputy Representative and Officer-in-Charge of the UNFPA Nigeria, referenced the recently released ICPD30 Report titled “The Future Can’t Wait.”

He noted that the report underscores the urgency of advancing rights and choices for all, reminding stakeholders that the future truly cannot wait, not for women whose lives depend on quality maternal healthcare, not for young people whose potential will define Nigeria’s tomorrow, and not for communities still waiting to be fully counted and served.

He urged governments to strengthen population data systems to close long-standing data gaps, understand emerging megatrends, and plan more effectively. “Without reliable data—including a credible national census—we cannot fully see our people, nor can we design policies that respond to their true needs,” Mr. Kuawu emphasized.

Delivering a goodwill message, Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas-Kolo, Special Adviser to the President on Health, represented by Dr. Sa’adatu Sule, highlighted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes women’s health and protection.

She noted that the agenda aims to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system, with a particular focus on maternal health, family planning, and gender-based violence (GBV) services.

“We must recognize that the ICPD25 goals are not just health issues, they are development issues,” she said. “Addressing them has the potential to drive economic growth, reduce poverty, improve education outcomes, enhance livelihoods, and promote national development.”

Dr. Anas-Kolo reaffirmed the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Health (OSAP-H) commitment to ensuring Nigeria fulfills its ICPD25 commitments with support from government, private sector, and development partners.

In her remarks, Mrs. Toyin Ojora-Saraki, Founder and President of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), represented by Mr. Kelvin Agagbe, reaffirmed the commitment made in Nairobi to uphold the rights and dignity of women, adolescents, and children across Nigeria.

“This anniversary is more than a milestone. It is a collective reminder of our responsibility to accelerate progress toward the three zeros: zero preventable maternal deaths, zero unmet need for family planning, and zero gender-based violence and harmful practices,” she stated.

Representing young people, Ms. Divine Ogunmola delivered a passionate message urging the prioritization of youth inclusion and credible national data.

“We the young, the resilient, the unbroken—are not the future; we are the urgent now,” she declared. “Nigeria needs a census, not just to count people but to recognize them. How do we plan for a nation we haven’t counted since 2006? How do we serve a population we cannot fully see? Every number is a life, and every life has worth.”

The event witnessed the launch of the National Action Plan for Implementation of Nigeria ICPD25 Commitments Monitoring and Evaluation Framework and the Panel Discussion session. Those in attendance also included, the NPC Federal Commissioners and management staff, development partners, members of National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and media.

The ICPD25+6 commemoration served as a powerful reminder of Nigeria’s enduring commitment to ensuring that every individual, especially women and youth, can live with dignity, make informed choices, and access the health and rights-based services they need.