Youth Empowerment Takes Center Stage on World Population Day in Nigeria

 

By Yusuf A Yusuf, Damaturu 

On World Population Day 2025, The Challenge Initiative (TCI) joined the Nigerian Government through the National Population Commission (NPC) and global partners to amplify calls for prioritizing youth needs in family planning and reproductive health.

The coalition’s joint statement, released to Yobe State’s Family Planning Champion, emphasizes securing young people’s rights, tools, and opportunities to shape their futures.  

Under the global theme “Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world,” the statement highlights Nigeria’s accelerating efforts to equip adolescents with information and resources for informed reproductive health choices.  

With youth constituting a significant portion of Africa’s population, the statement stresses that access to accurate sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services is now critical for inclusive development.While acknowledging progress since the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) including expanded healthcare and reduced maternal mortality millions still face barriers like stigma, misinformation, and limited youth-friendly services.  

Dr. Taiwo Johnson, TCI Nigeria’s Country Director, underscored the urgency "empowering young people with knowledge and services isn’t just a health issue it’s a rights issue.When supported to make informed decisions, they become agents of change." 

TCI, funded by the Gates Foundation and Bayer, accelerates family planning initiatives across self-selected states and local government areas (LGAs).Key programs include;Life Planning for Adolescents and Youth (LPAY), providing comprehensive sexuality education.Digital platforms challenging myths about contraception.Training health workers in confidential,youth-friendly services and engaging local leaders to normalize family planning discussions in conservative communities.  

Abiodun Ajayi, LPAY Champion and Executive Director of Lagos-based PHSAI, urged stakeholders to reminds not to sideline youth needs."We demand investments in education, health systems, and policies that empower us."

Suliyat Eletu, Communications Officer at partner organization DevComs, added,"Young people must be at development’s center. Their choices and dreams matter with support, they’ll build healthier families and thriving communities."

The coalition calls on policymakers, civil society, donors, and media to boost investments in youth health, framing equitable family planning access as foundational to sustainable development.