From Mustapha Saye, Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government has called for increased investment in young people, describing them as a critical resource for unlocking the state’s demographic and economic potential.
The Commissioner for Planning and Budget Commission, Mukhtar Ahmed Monrovia, made the call during the 2026 World Population Day media briefing held in Kaduna on Tuesday.
He said the state’s growing youthful population presented enormous opportunities for economic growth, innovation and social transformation if properly harnessed.
According to him, this year’s World Population Day theme, “Realising the Hopes and Aspirations of Young People – Today and for the Future,” highlights the importance of placing youths at the centre of development planning.
Monrovia said the administration of Governor Uba Sani had continued to prioritise investments in education, healthcare, agriculture, social protection, women empowerment, youth employment, digital innovation and economic inclusion through its SUSTAIN Agenda.
He explained that the Kaduna State Planning and Budget Commission had been integrating population trends into government policies, sectoral plans and annual budgets to promote evidence-based and people-oriented development.
The commissioner commended the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for its support to Kaduna State in strengthening reproductive health services, expanding access to voluntary family planning, improving maternal healthcare, supporting young people and enhancing population data systems.
He stressed that achieving sustainable development required collective efforts, urging development partners, the private sector, parents, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations and the media to support initiatives that create opportunities for youths.
Monrovia reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that every young person had access to quality education, healthcare, employment opportunities, life skills and digital literacy.
Also speaking, the Kaduna State Director of the National Population Commission (NPC), Maryam Aliyu, said Nigeria’s population structure required deliberate investment in education, skills acquisition and job creation to fully benefit from its demographic dividend.
She noted that over 60 per cent of Nigeria’s population is below the age of 30, making youth-centred development strategies essential for sustainable growth.
Aliyu identified quality healthcare, voluntary family planning, maternal health services, gender equality, reliable population data and proper urban planning as key elements of effective population management.
She added that the commission was expanding its engagement with underserved communities, especially adolescents and young people in rural areas, while strengthening advocacy and evidence-based planning.
The Programme Manager of the UNFPA Kaduna Office, Dr Elvis Evbofon, commended Kaduna State for maintaining a strong reputation in population statistics and development planning.
Evbofon said the state’s youthful population could become a major driver of economic growth and industrialisation if supported with purposeful investments.
He, however, warned that rapid population growth without adequate planning could lead to unemployment, insecurity and poor development outcomes.
He urged stakeholders to focus on building a productive population capable of contributing meaningfully to national development.
World Population Day is observed every year on July 11 to raise awareness about population challenges and promote sustainable development through inclusive policies and evidence-based planning.
