World Population Day: Between National Planning and Census.

BY: ADAMU ALIYU NGULDE

On July 11 every year since 1989, World Population Day has been celebrated to highlight the significance of population-related challenges in national and international development.

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) established the commemoration, taking inspiration from the 5 Billion Day that marked the day that the world's population reached and exceeded 5 billion.

The world's population grew from 5 billion to 7 billion between 1987 and 2011, with the UNDP predicting a population of over 8.1 billion in 2025.

By observing the day, communities, institutions, governments, and the international community are reminded of the impact of an increasing population on the well-being of the people.

The theme for this year's celebration, 'Empowering young people to create families they desire in a fair and hopeful world,' explains the importance of policymakers prioritizing the aspirations and rights of young people.

Reports from the UNDP and other multilateral organizations indicate that the world is currently experiencing the largest ever generation of youth, despite the lack of a universally agreed-upon international definition of this age group.

The 2025 commemoration's primary goals are to raise awareness about the increasing global population and its impact; to promote reproductive health and rights, particularly for women and youth.

Others are promoting gender equality and supporting women in making informed family decisions that align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3) and Gender Equality (SDG 5).

António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, expressed the importance of celebrating the potential and promise of the largest youth generation ever during the 2025 commemoration.

According to him, the world's youth population is demanding a future that is just, inclusive, and sustainable besides shaping the future.

"The theme of this year's conference reiterates the promise of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development: that everyone has the right to make informed choices about their lives and futures.

"Economic uncertainty, gender inequality, health challenges, the climate crisis, and conflict are common challenges faced by young people today.

"Their leadership is characterized by courage, conscience, and clarity, and they are advocating for systems that uphold their rights and support their choices.

"I recommend that governments invest in policies that guarantee education, healthcare, decent work, and full protection of reproductive rights.

He said that "we should stand with young people and create a future where every person has the ability to shape their destiny in a world that is fair, peaceful, and full of hope.

"Many Nigerians are wondering how policymakers can empower young Nigerians in the absence of accurate population data".

According to experts, "reliable population data is crucial not only for a nation's sound economic planning, but it also has a profound impact on its demographic realities.

Population data is a crucial factor in the success of social development and welfare programs, such as health provision, housing, urban development, and social protection.

Planning for new schools, assigning teachers, developing curriculum, and ensuring equitable access to quality education requires data on school-age children, literacy rates, out-of-school children, and educational attainment levels.

According to Mr. Usman Aminu, a child education expert from the University of Maiduguri, Nigeria cannot dispute unfavorable development statistics from foreign institutions without reliable and up-to-date population data.

He was alluding to the 2024 global data on children who were out of school, in which UNESCO estimated Nigeria's out-of-school child population at an estimated 20 million.

According to the government, the population commission provided data.

"I would like to inquire about the number of Nigerians who register the birth of their children, particularly in rural areas".

"What is the reliability of data from the population commission, which hasn't conducted a census since 2006?

Amimu emphasized that the report should be viewed as a wake-up call and not as an indictment.

Nigeria's failure to conduct a population census since 2006 is due to a complex interplay of factors, primarily due to politicization, funding challenges, and logistical hurdles, and it is worth noting.

There are those who argue that conducting regular and reliable censuses is more than just a statistical exercise; it is the foundation for effective national planning and sustainable development.

In January of this year, the Senate instructed the National Population Commission (NPC) to carry out a census in 2025.

The NPC confirmed that it is prepared and has plans for a biometric-based exercise to improve accuracy and credibility.

The President has yet to announce the exact date, and approval of a separate budget for the exercise is necessary.

In the NPC's budget defense, Mr. Diket Plang (APC-Plateau Central) expressed his dissatisfaction with the lack of reliable data on the population of its citizens.

"It's unfortunate that we are still relying on estimated population figures.

It's disappointing that we're still relying on data from foreign bodies, which is demeaning to us as a committee of nations.

The significance of population data is reiterated as Nigeria joins other countries in celebrating World Population Day in 2025, as it provides the essential demographic intelligence needed for evidence-based decision-making.