Stakeholders have called on Nigerians to seize the opportunity presented by the country’s youthful population to drive sustainable socio-economic development.
This call was made during a sensitization workshop organized by the National Population Commission (NPC) in collaboration with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)-funded Lafiya programme, held in Kano.
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Speaking at the event, the Federal Commissioner of the NPC, Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa, emphasized the importance of strategic investment in human capital development to unlock the demographic dividend.
“The demographic dividend is not automatic. It requires deliberate policies and collective action. We must invest in our people now to reap the benefits tomorrow,” Dr. Tsanyawa stated.
He stressed that Nigeria’s large youth population, if properly educated, healthy, and employed, could serve as a catalyst for national development rather than a challenge.
Also addressing participants, the Kano State Director of the NPC, Alhaji Balarabe Abdulkadir, highlighted the role of grassroots awareness in achieving demographic goals.
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He urged stakeholders from all sectors to actively support initiatives that empower young people.
“The growing youth population should be seen as a national asset. With proper guidance, they can drive innovation, economic growth, and stability,” Abdulkadir said.
The workshop drew participation from religious leaders across various faiths, civil society organizations, zonal information officers, and media professionals.
Participants discussed the importance of aligning population management with economic planning, warning that failure to act now could undermine Nigeria’s future prosperity.
The event concluded with a unified call for multisectoral collaboration to transform Nigeria’s demographic realities into lasting economic gains.