Government officials and development partners have called for sustained investment in education, healthcare, skills development and youth inclusion, stressing that Nigeria’s growing youthful population can only become a driver of economic growth if supported with the right policies and opportunities.
The call was made on Tuesday in Abuja during the 2026 World Population Day commemoration, themed “Realizing the Hopes and Aspirations of Young People Today and for the Future.”
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Dr. Aminu Yusuf, said Nigeria’s demographic profile presents enormous opportunities, noting that about 70 per cent of the country’s population is under the age of 30.
He, however, cautioned that population size alone does not guarantee economic growth.
“A demographic dividend is not created by numbers alone. It is created when a country makes the right investments and establishes the right policies to ensure that its population particularly its growing working-age population is healthy, educated, skilled, productive, and economically engaged.”
Dr. Yusuf also raised concerns over Nigeria’s reproductive health indicators, saying high adolescent pregnancy rates and limited access to modern contraceptives continue to undermine the potential of many young people.
Citing findings from the 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, he said Nigeria records 77 births per 1,000 girls aged 15 to 19, while about 15 per cent of adolescent girls in that age group have already begun childbearing.
He said the figures underscore the need for stronger investments in healthcare, education and youth-focused interventions.
The NPC chairman further urged governments and development partners to involve young people directly in policymaking rather than treating them only as beneficiaries of development programmes.
“We must therefore move from doing things for young people to doing things with young people. Their voices must inform policy. Their experiences must inform programme design. Their ideas must inform innovation.”
Delivering her address, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, described Nigeria’s large youth population as one of its greatest development assets, saying deliberate investments in education and skills are essential to transform the country’s demographic advantage into sustainable economic growth.
“Nigeria is blessed with one of the largest youth populations in the world. This presents us with an extraordinary opportunity to harness a demographic dividend that can accelerate economic growth, innovation, and sustainable development. However, this opportunity can only be realized if we invest deliberately in the education, health, skills, and overall well-being of our young people.”
She said the Federal Government, under the Renewed Hope Agenda, is implementing reforms aimed at expanding access to quality and inclusive education.
According to her, the ministry’s priorities include improving foundational learning, reducing the number of out-of-school children, strengthening teacher quality, promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), expanding technical and vocational education, advancing digital literacy and supporting girls’ education.
“Our priorities include improving foundational learning, reducing the number of out-of-school children, strengthening teacher quality, promoting STEM education, expanding technical and vocational education and training, advancing digital literacy, supporting girls’ education, and most importantly, equipping learners with the knowledge and competencies needed to thrive in the 21st century.”
The minister also stressed that young Nigerians should be recognised as partners in national development rather than passive recipients of government programmes.
“I am particularly pleased that this year’s commemoration recognizes young people not only as beneficiaries of development, but as active partners in shaping the future of our nation. Their voices, ideas, and innovations are indispensable to achieving sustainable development and national prosperity.”
Also speaking, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics at the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Mr. Anthony Chukwuka, who represented the Minister of Youth Development, said Nigeria’s demographic advantage will only be realised through sustained investments in young people.
He noted that with more than 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population below the age of 35, the country’s future depends on creating opportunities that empower young people to contribute meaningfully to national development.
According to him, this year’s World Population Day theme calls on governments and stakeholders to move beyond rhetoric by making practical investments in education, healthcare, skills development and youth empowerment.
“The theme speaks directly to the aspirations of over 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population who are below the age of 35. It challenges us to move beyond rhetoric and make deliberate investments that enable our young people to become productive, innovative, responsible citizens capable of driving national development.”
Chukwuka said the Federal Ministry of Youth Development is implementing several initiatives under the Renewed Hope Agenda to improve the quality of life and future prospects of young Nigerians.
He listed the programmes to include the NIYA Platform, Digital Literacy for All Initiative, NIYA Start-Up Grant Programme, Youth in Agribusiness Land Trust Initiative, Climate Education and Youth Enterprise Initiative, Youth Data Protection Awareness and Training Initiative, and the National Youth Data Bank, among others.
He emphasised that achieving meaningful youth development requires collaboration among government, development partners, the private sector, civil society organisations and young people themselves, while urging greater youth participation in governance and policymaking.
“Today’s young people are not merely the leaders of tomorrow; they are partners in nation-building today. We must therefore continue to provide them with quality education, market-relevant skills, decent employment opportunities, healthcare, innovation ecosystems and an enabling environment where they can realise their dreams.”
In a message on behalf of the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, delivered by the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Mohamed Malick Fall, and represented by Ms. Muriel Mafico, the UN called for greater investments in young people to enable them realise their full potential.
The Secretary-General said Nigeria’s youthful population remains its greatest resource and called for expanded access to quality education, healthcare, decent employment and greater participation of young people in decision-making.
“We must match their determination with greater investment. That means investing in quality education that keeps every girl in school; in sexual and reproductive health services… in decent work… and in real, meaningful participation of young people in the decisions that shape their lives and their country.”
He also warned that persistent inequality continues to deny millions of young Nigerians the opportunity to fulfil their aspirations, particularly girls, rural communities, displaced persons and those with limited access to education.
“The gap between aspiration and reality is not inevitable; it is a product of inequality, and inequality can be changed. The data shows us clearly where the gaps are greatest: among the poorest, the least educated, the rural, and the displaced. Closing those gaps is not charity; it is the prerequisite for any credible vision of national development.”
Speakers at the event unanimously agreed that Nigeria can only harness its demographic dividend through sustained investments in education, healthcare, skills development, decent jobs and youth empowerment, while ensuring young people are actively involved in shaping the policies and programmes that affect their future.