The National Population Commission has called for increased investment in youth-friendly healthcare and reproductive health services, expressing concern that adolescent fertility remains high despite a decline in Nigeria’s overall fertility rate.
The NPC Chairman, Dr Aminu Yusuf, represented by the Federal Commissioner in Gombe State, Hon. Abubakar Danburam, made the call on Thursday during a press briefing in Gombe ahead of the 2026 World Population Day.
Speaking on this year’s theme, “Realising the Hopes and Aspirations of Young People – Today and for the Future,” Danburam said improving young people’s access to healthcare was critical to unlocking Nigeria’s demographic dividend.
He noted that while the latest Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey showed the country’s Total Fertility Rate had dropped from 5.3 to 4.8 children per woman, adolescent fertility remained 15 per cent, indicating persistent gaps in reproductive healthcare.
Yusuf said, “The latest Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey shows the national Total
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