By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The National Population Commission on Tuesday hosted the official unveiling of the 2025 State of the World Population Report in Abuja, calling for a transformative shift in national and global population policies to prioritise reproductive agency over fertility statistics.
The report, produced annually by the United Nations Population Fund, has “The Real Fertility Crisis: The Pursuit of Reproductive Health Agency” as its theme.
In his opening remarks, NPC Chairman, Nasir Kwarra, described the theme as both bold and timely, underscoring the urgent need to confront structural inequalities and unmet reproductive health needs that shape fertility decisions.
Kwarra stressed that population issues should be viewed not merely through the lens of numbers, but through the lived experiences and rights of individuals, especially women and young people.
He said, “This report reminds us that the real crisis is not simply whether people are having fewer or more children. For us in Nigeria, this question is not theoretical – it is real, it is urgent, and it is deeply personal.
“Every day, millions of women and men across the country face barriers to exercising agency over whether, when, and how many children to have.
“These barriers, ranging from poverty and limited access to quality healthcare, to gender inequality and inadequate data undermine both individual well-being and national development.”
He cited findings from the 2023–2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, which showed a modest decline in Nigeria’s Total Fertility Rate from 5.3 to 4.8 children per woman.
However, the report also highlights persistent challenges, including a 21 percent unmet need for family planning and high rates of adolescent fertility—with 15 percent of girls aged 15–19 already pregnant or mothers.
“These statistics represent more than numbers—they tell the stories of young girls forced into early motherhood, women unable to space or limit pregnancies, and families striving to make reproductive decisions without adequate support,” Kwarra said.
While global attention is increasingly focused on declining birth rates and fears of population implosion, Nigeria is navigating a different demographic landscape.
With a youthful and growing population, the country faces the dual challenge of empowering individuals with reproductive choices while ensuring that development policies are inclusive and rights-based.
The chairman noted, “While global fears of a so-called ‘population implosion’ are rising, millions of people around the world cannot have the number of children they want, when they want, and under conditions of their choosing.
“In Nigeria, these challenges are acutely felt. Our youthful population is vibrant and full of potential, yet many young people, especially young women, face formidable barriers to exercising their reproductive rights.
“These barriers range from limited access to modern contraceptives, to child marriage, to social and cultural expectations that restrict autonomy.”
The NPC chairman reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to data-driven policymaking, stressing the importance of reliable statistics and inclusive initiatives such as the forthcoming national Population and Housing Census.
He described data as essential for shaping evidence-based policies that promote demographic balance and national development.
The report’s release also served as a call to action for stakeholders across sectors.
Kwarra urged government agencies, civil society, development partners, religious leaders, and the private sector to join forces in supporting reproductive health services and advancing human rights.
“There is still much work to be done. The 2025 SWOP Report rightly calls for a shift from policies focused on fertility rates to policies focused on reproductive agency. From top-down decisions to bottom-up empowerment. From fear-based narratives to affirming every individual’s dignity and potential.
“This shift is not only about human rights, but also about smart development. When people are able to make informed choices about their reproductive lives, they are more likely to invest in their education, in their families and in their communities,” he added.