NPC Urges Investment in Youth to Prevent Crisis

The National Population Commission (NPC) has issued a warning regarding Nigeria's youthful population, stating that without significant investments in education, healthcare, employment, and youth empowerment, the country risks losing the benefits of its demographic advantage. Dr. Aminu Yusuf, Chairman of the NPC, made this statement during the 2026 World Population Day commemoration in Abuja, themed “Realising the Hopes and Aspirations of Young People — Today and for the Future.” With Nigeria's population exceeding 238 million, making it Africa's most populous nation, Dr. Yusuf noted that about 70 percent of Nigerians are under 30 years old.

He stressed that merely having a large population does not guarantee development; rather, it requires the right investments and policies. He pointed out alarming statistics, including that Nigeria records 77 births per 1,000 girls aged 15 to 19 and that modern contraceptive prevalence among young women is only 3.3 percent.

Dr. Yusuf urged stakeholders to prioritize youth involvement in national development.