Musa Na Allah, Sokoto
The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Dr. Aminu Yusuf (Talban Wushishi), has declared that Nigeria’s development trajectory in the 21st century is inseparable from its rapidly evolving demographic realities, stressing that population dynamics now occupy the very centre of national planning and policy execution.
Dr. Yusuf made the assertion in Sokoto while delivering his address at the 14th International Conference of the Population Association of Nigeria (PAN) 2026, hosted by Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS).
He stated that Nigeria’s development efforts are unfolding against the backdrop of sustained population growth, a predominantly youthful population structure, rapid urbanisation and increasingly complex patterns of internal and international migration.
According to him, these demographic shifts are fundamentally reshaping both the scale and geography of national needs, exerting growing pressure on infrastructure, education, healthcare systems and governance institutions across the federation.
The NPC chairman emphasised that population dynamics must no longer be treated as a purely academic discourse, but recognised as a decisive force shaping development outcomes often acting as a silent determinant of policy success or failure.
“Demographic pressures often go unnoticed until they manifest in rising unemployment, insecurity, urban congestion and overstretched social services,” Dr. Yusuf warned.
He explained that this reality informed the integration of population dynamics as a core pillar in Nigeria’s national planning architecture, particularly under the revised National Policy on Population for Sustainable Development adopted in 2022.
The policy, he noted, reflects growing national consensus that demographic trends directly influence development prospects across sectors, determining demand patterns, resource allocation priorities and the long term effectiveness of public interventions.
Dr. Yusuf stressed that aligning policies and development programmes with demographic realities enhances coherence, foresight and institutional resilience, ultimately delivering more sustainable and inclusive outcomes.
He further pointed out that Nigeria now has a clearly articulated population policy framework that recognises demographic change as a strategic variable in shaping social and economic transformation.
Calling for stronger collaboration, the NPC boss urged researchers, policymakers and development partners to prioritise credible, evidence-based data in decision-making processes, cautioning that fragmented or unreliable data could undermine national development planning.
Earlier, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, called on governments and stakeholders to invest decisively in building a productive population through improved access to quality education, healthcare and economic opportunities.
Represented by the District Head and Sarkin Yakin Gagi, Dani Umar Jabi, the Sultan also underscored the importance of family planning and youth empowerment in addressing insecurity and safeguarding Nigeria’s future.
Declaring the conference open, Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu described population as a defining factor in national growth, stressing that Nigeria’s youthful demographic profile, if properly harnessed, remains the country’s greatest asset.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of UDUS, Professor Bashir Garba, noted that Nigeria’s position as Africa’s most populous nation presents vast opportunities for economic expansion, but warned that without strategic population management, those opportunities could quickly become liabilities.
President of the Population Association of Nigeria, Professor Enang Ebingh, described the four-day conference, themed “Population Dynamics in the 21st Century: Opportunities, Challenges and Policies for Sustainable Development” as a vital platform for generating professional insights to support informed policies and sustainable investments in education, health, security, and social welfare.
