By Muhammad Amaan
The 36 State Commissioners of the National Population Commission (NPC) are urged to work with the 36 State Governors to establish and strengthen the Population Advisory Groups, and a Population Budget Line in line with the National Population Policy
The Coordinator of the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN), Dr Aminu Magashi Garba made the call on Wednesday at the 13th Annual Population Lecture Series (APLS) in Abuja.
The lecture with a theme; “Emerging Global Funding Realities: Impact on Population Activities and Need for Innovative Domestic Resource Mobilisation,” provided a platform for policymakers and experts to discuss strategies for sustainable population management.
Dr Magashi made a strong call to the 36 State Commissioners of the NPC on the need to work with the 36 State Governors and establish and/or strengthen the Population Advisory Groups, “Technical Working Groups and Population Budget Line in line with the National Population Policy.”
Dr Magashi also urged for a strong push to move Population matters to Part C (Statutory transfers) of the Federal Budget for robust and sustainable funding.
He stressed the urgency of population management, noting projections that Nigeria’s population could reach 400 million by 2050.
He said, “With 70 per cent of citizens under 30, the country is already facing challenges in education, health, family planning, and contraceptive use.”
Dr Magashi called for full implementation of the National Population Policy, dedicated budget lines for population initiatives, and close collaboration between commissioners and state governors to ensure consistent funding.
He also urged policymakers to integrate population issues into national security planning.
On his part, the Chairman of the NPC, Mr Aminu Yusuf, has called for the establishment of a dedicated Population Trust Fund to prevent chronic delays in Nigeria’s national census.
He said the fund would guarantee the timely planning and execution of censuses, which are constitutionally intended to take place every 10 years.
“The creation of a Population Trust Fund is central to our reform agenda It will strengthen the commission’s independence and ensure that funding gaps no longer disrupt census operations,” Yusuf said.
He added that declining global development assistance has made domestic resource mobilisation increasingly critical for key population activities, including health, education, and data systems.
