Sokoto state’s population growth of 1,054,563, between 2016 and 2022, has highlighted the urgent need for improved health and education services, the State Director of the National Population Commission (NPC), Mr. Marafa Gagi, has observed.
Speaking at a one-day media roundtable organized by The Challenge Initiative (TCI) and Devcoms, Gagi emphasized that as the population increases, the state faces mounting challenges, particularly in health and family planning, which need more focus and attention from the state government.
Population Trends in Sokoto State
Gagi noted that Sokoto State’s population has grown substantially over the past three decades, with a notable increase in recent years. According to data from the National Population Commission, Nigeria’s population increased from 38,992,218 in 1991 to 216,783,381 in 2022.
“The population figures for Sokoto State are as follows: in 1991, it was 2,397,000; in 2006, it was 3,702,676; in 2016, it was 5,336,484; and in 2022, it was 6,391,047. This represents an increase of 1,054,563 people in just six years, from 2016 to 2022,” Gagi stated.
He highlighted that this rapid growth has significant implications for public health, education, and overall development in Sokoto State.
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Infant Mortality Rates
Gagi further discussed the concern of infant mortality in the North West region. In 1991, there were 110 deaths per 1,000 live births, increasing to 136 deaths per 1,000 live births by 2003. However, this number decreased to 91 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2008 and further to 89 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2013.
“These figures underscore the importance of improving healthcare facilities and services to reduce infant mortality rates further,” he said.
The Role of Family Planning
The Director also pointed out that low literacy rates and poor school attendance among women in Sokoto State impact family planning efforts. The literacy rate in Sokoto State is a mere 2.5%, significantly lower than Nigeria’s national average of 14.8%.
The Sokoto State Family Planning Coordinator, Dr. Bello Kilgore, highlighted the importance of the roundtable meeting organized by Devcom and TCI. The primary goal was to update stakeholders on population trends, media involvement, and improvements in family planning and reproductive health services. The meeting also sought to explore more ways to collaborate with TCI/Devcom.
Kilgore noted that only 9.4% of women aged 16-49 who are married or in a union use modern contraception methods, 0.6% use traditional methods, and 8.5% use a combination of both. This highlights the need for increased awareness and education about family planning.
Kilgore applauded TCI for helping state governments expand effective family planning and health services for poor urban communities. He noted TCI’s innovative approach to enhancing efficiency and sustainability.
Strategies for Sustainable Development
To promote sustainable development, Gagi emphasized several key actions, including building more health facilities and equipping them with modern equipment and supplies. He also highlighted the need to educate communities about the importance of birth spacing.
Gagi called for support from individuals, private companies, and development partners to promote birth spacing and enhance healthcare services. He also urged journalists to continue informing the public about important findings on population, family planning, and health. This, he said, will increase awareness and foster a healthier and more sustainable future for Sokoto State.
