Abuja: The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Mr. Aminu Yusuf, has announced plans to propose the establishment of a Population Trust Fund aimed at addressing funding deficiencies that have consistently led to disruptions in Nigeria’s census schedule.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Yusuf made this announcement during the 13th Annual Population Lecture Series (APLS) held in Abuja. The event, themed ‘Emerging Global Funding Realities: Impact on Population Activities and Need for Innovative Domestic Resource Mobilisation,’ served as a platform for high-level discussions on population and development issues. Mr. Yusuf emphasized that creating a dedicated fund is crucial for ensuring the timely planning and execution of censuses, which are meant to be conducted every ten years. This proposal forms a key part of his reform agenda designed to enhance the commission’s independence and operational reliability.
Mr. Yusuf highlighted the decline in global development assistance, stressing the importance of mobilizing domestic resources to fund essential population activities such as health, education, and data systems. He described the lecture theme as a ‘call to action’ for Nigeria to assume responsibility for financing these critical activities.
Rep. Kwamoti Laori, National President of the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN), also addressed the audience, noting the adverse effects of shifting global funding on reproductive health, family planning, and maternal health services. Represented by Executive Director Dr. Haruna Aku, Laori emphasized the need for strategic development to minimize service disruptions. He pointed out that the lack of legislation mandating census intervals has led to significant delays, with nearly two decades passing since the last national headcount. Laori warned that unreliable data contributes to worsening insecurity, including banditry and kidnapping.
Dr. Aminu Magashi, Founder of the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN), underscored the urgency of prioritizing population management in Nigeria. He noted that projections indicate the country’s population could reach 400 million by 2050, with 70 percent of the populace under 30. Dr. Magashi outlined existing challenges in education, health, family planning, and contraceptive use. He advocated for the full implementation of the National Population Policy and the creation of dedicated budget lines for population and development at both national and state levels. He urged commissioners to collaborate with governors for consistent budgetary support and recommended that population issues be incorporated into the national security agenda.
Mrs. Edna Azura, National President of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), emphasized the importance of well-funded demographic programs for maternal health, girl-child education, gender-based violence responses, and economic empowerment. She called for stronger domestic resource mobilization, public-private partnerships, and community engagement. Mrs. Azura pledged the NCWS’s support for NPC initiatives aimed at enhancing data accuracy, promoting responsible population management, and strengthening gender-responsive planning.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) noted that the APLS, established in 2012, serves as a policy forum for high-level discussions on Nigeria’s population and related development issues.