PM UK, CISLAC Advocate Formation Of Population Matters Network

Population Matters UK, in partnership with Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center, CISLAC, have advocated immediate formation of Nigeria Population Matters Network to serve as a baseline for further conversation on population at all levels in shaping policy decision and direction towards inclusive planning and development in Nigeria.

The Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center and Transparency International CISLAC/TI-Nigeria, Mr. Auwal Musa-Rafsanjani gave the advise at a one day Nigeria Population Conversation Seminar in Abuja.

Musa-Rafsanjani said if governments at all levels efficiently harness its population to achieve developmental goals, it will go a long way to address societal ills and social vices bedeviling the country such as insecurity, armed robbery and high maternal mortality rate.

He said the statistics show that about 53.40% of youths are unemployed as released by the National Bureau of Statistics in 2022, which according to him exposes the accelerated level of prostitution, armed robbery, rape and all facets of violence largely attributed to unemployment of youths.

Musa-Rafsanjani added that “It is worthy of note that active participation by Nigerians across the six geo-political zones in the Population Perception Survey report that was launched at the occasion, indicates citizens’ readiness for constructive conversation on population and its impact on their well-being as well as living standards.

“This without doubt will serve as a baseline for further conversation on population at all levels in Nigeria and beyond.”

Also speaking at the occasion, the Director Population Management and Development, National Population Commission, Mrs Margaret Edison stressed that to address problems associated with the large population does not lie on the government alone but attitudinal change of the people towards ensuring a population well cartered for that will in turn translate to effective and rapid developmental growth which should be prioritized.

In a remark, the Head, Campaign and Communications Population Matters, Alistair Currie expressed hope that fact-findings from the report would be leveraged on by relevant state and non-state actors in amplifying conversation on population, as well as shaping policy decision and direction towards inclusive planning and development in Nigeria.

Florence Adewale, Edited By Grace Namiji