The National Population Commission (NPC) on Tuesday officially launched the 2025 edition of the State of the World Population Report in Abuja, urging a fundamental shift in how population issues are approached—placing reproductive rights and individual agency at the center of national and global policies.
The annual report, published by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), is themed “The Real Fertility Crisis: The Pursuit of Reproductive Health Agency.”
NPC Chairman, Nasir Kwarra, in his opening remarks, described the theme as both timely and necessary. He called for urgent attention to the structural inequalities and barriers that continue to undermine the reproductive rights of millions of Nigerians.
“This report reminds us that the real crisis isn’t just about whether people are having fewer or more children,” Kwarra said. “It’s about the daily struggles of women and men who face obstacles in making informed choices about when and how many children to have.”
Kwarra emphasized that population issues must be seen through the lens of human rights and lived experiences, not just statistics—particularly for women and young people.
He pointed to findings from the 2023–2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, which shows a modest decline in Nigeria’s Total Fertility Rate—from 5.3 to 4.8 children per woman. However, the report also highlights troubling trends, including a 21% unmet need for family planning and 15% adolescent fertility rate among girls aged 15–19.
“These numbers are not just data points,” he noted. “They represent the reality of young girls forced into early motherhood and families navigating reproductive decisions without support or information.”
While countries around the world worry about declining fertility and aging populations, Nigeria is dealing with the opposite: a young, rapidly growing population with limited access to reproductive healthcare.
“Millions in Nigeria still cannot have the number of children they want, when they want, and under conditions of their choice,” Kwarra said. “Barriers such as poverty, inadequate healthcare, gender inequality, and harmful cultural norms continue to limit reproductive autonomy.”
Kwarra reiterated the NPC’s commitment to using accurate data to inform policy decisions, referencing the upcoming National Population and Housing Census as a vital tool for planning and development.
He urged stakeholders—from government bodies to civil society, religious institutions, and the private sector—to work together to expand access to reproductive health services and protect the rights of individuals.
“The 2025 SWOP Report calls for a critical shift—from fertility-focused policies to empowerment-focused ones. From fear-driven narratives to rights-based approaches that affirm every individual’s dignity and potential,” he said. “This is not just a human rights issue—it’s a development imperative.”
The launch event concluded with a renewed national commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian—regardless of gender, age, or geography—can access reproductive health services and make autonomous decisions about their future.
The event was attended by high-level government officials, development partners, civil society leaders, and members of the diplomatic community.
