A Public Health Practitioner, Dr. Gafar Alawode, said that the rising population in the country was alarming. He added that the population was growing faster than the economy, which was detrimental.
Alawode made this revelation at a panel discussion in Abuja. The panel was oragised by the National Population Commission to mark this year‘s World Population Day.
In the same vein, the UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Natalia Kanem, who was represented by UNFPA Nigeria’s Acting Resident Representative, Ms. Erika Goldson, noted that 19 per cent of married women in Nigeria could not exercise their right to make decisions, especially regarding having children.
She further stressed the need for women to be empowered, adding that such empowerment would benefit human capital and inclusive economic growth.
She said, “Realising sexual and reproductive health and rights for all is the foundation for gender equality, dignity, and opportunity. Nevertheless, over 40 per cent of women around the world and 19 per cent of married women in Nigeria cannot exercise their right to make decisions as fundamental as whether or not to have children. Empowering women and girls, including through education and access to modern contraception, helps to support their aspirations and chart the path of their own life.
“Advancing gender equality is a crosscutting solution to many population concerns. In ageing societies that worry about labour productivity, achieving gender parity in the workforce is the most effective way to improve output and income growth.
“Meanwhile, in countries experiencing rapid population growth, women’s empowerment through education and family planning can bring enormous benefits by way of human capital and inclusive economic growth.”
In her remark at the event, the Special Adviser on Health to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dr. Salma Anas, acknowledged the implications of the country’s population growth.
She said, “As we all know, population growth has far-reaching implications for socio-economic and environmental development. It is imperative to approach this issue with a holistic and sustainable mindset. One of the key aspects of sustainable development is investment in health and education.”
