The National Population Commission (NPC) has called for a decisive shift toward domestic financing of population programmes amid dwindling global donor support, stressing that national ownership is critical for sustainable development.
NPC Chairman, Mr. Aminu Yusuf, made the call during the unveiling of the report of its 13th Annual Population Lecture Series (APLS 13) on Monday in Abuja, describing the report as a strategic roadmap.
Yusuf said the report, themed “Emerging Global Funding Realities: Impact on Population Activities and the Need for Innovative Domestic Resource Mobilisation,” is timely and underscores the urgent need for domestic funding solutions.
“Our responsibility goes beyond counting people; it is about ensuring that every Nigerian counts.
“The role of data in national development cannot be overemphasised,” Yusuf said, highlighting evidence-based policymaking as vital for progress.
He noted that the commission produced an official report of the lecture series for the first time in 14 years, institutionalising knowledge to guide policymaking and strengthen demographic planning across the country.
Yusuf said the report aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda, promoting institutional strengthening, youth empowerment and evidence-based policymaking to drive Nigeria’s demographic and development resilience.
He disclosed that development partners currently account for about 11.6 per cent of national health expenditure, a figure increasingly uncertain due to shifting global priorities and funding withdrawals.
The chairman said Nigeria’s Total Fertility Rate remains about 4.8 children per woman, with regional disparities driven by gaps in education and limited access to family planning services.
He identified weak data systems and poor institutional coordination as major challenges undermining effective population management, urging innovative strategies and stronger governance to ensure measurable impact.
Yusuf proposed a roadmap anchored on innovative financing, including population bonds, diaspora remittances and expanded health insurance coverage, while calling for deeper private sector engagement beyond traditional corporate social responsibility.
He also pledged support for at least 1,000 youth-led social enterprises by the third quarter of 2026, focusing on health, data innovation and community development.
Benue State NPC Commissioner, Mrs. Patricia Kupchi, described the report as evidence of the commission’s proactive approach, calling it “a strategic roadmap for Nigeria’s demographic resilience.”
She urged the government to transition from donor dependence to homegrown funding solutions through private sector partnerships.
Dr. Ejike Oji of the Association for the Advancement of Family Planning (AAFP) linked Nigeria’s security challenges to population issues, warning that the consequences are already evident and worsening.
He cited the withdrawal of USAID funding under former U.S. President Donald Trump, which removed 600 million dollars from global development funding and left UNFPA with a 37.5 million dollar shortfall affecting Nigeria.
“As we speak, there are stockouts in Nigeria because of those shortages,” Oji said, describing the situation as a turning point requiring urgent domestic resource mobilisation.
He urged the NPC to ensure the APLS becomes a Federal Government-funded budget line.
Mokhtar Gaya of Breakthrough Action supported the call, stressing the need for stronger partner engagement and timely release of funds for impact.
He also advocated expanding APLS activities beyond Abuja to all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Dr. Haruna Okaide, Director of the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN), emphasised that family planning remains one of the most cost-effective ways to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, urging lawmakers to create dedicated budget lines.
The APLS, established in 2012, serves as Nigeria’s premier platform for aligning demographic realities with national development planning, linking population data with actionable policies to strengthen health, education and economic outcomes.
