For the past two years, Population Matters has worked with the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) to address the underlying causes and impacts of high population growth in Nigeria. 

Our Director of Advocacy and Influence, Jameen Kaur, and Director of Research and Learning, Josh Hill, travelled to Abuja to meet our long-time partner CISLAC, community representatives, government officials, and policy makers.  

Together, we called on the Nigerian government to take stronger, evidence-based action to manage the impacts of high population growth and confront the underlying root causes- principally unmet need for family planning and lack of access to education, factors that particularly affect young girls and women. 

Participants share insights on how progress can be amplified across different states in Nigeria.   

Diverse States, One Nation 

Nigeria is the sixth most populated country in the world, home to 238.7 million people- almost 3% of the global population. Its population is growing rapidly, with projections indicating it will reach 400 million by 2050, making it the third most populous nation on earth. 

As is often the case with population dynamics, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Fertility rates vary widely across the six geopolitical zones, reflecting social, economic, religious and cultural diversity. Data from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey shows rural women have on average 5.6 children, compared with 3.9 in urban areas.  

These figures highlight the importance of tailored, locally informed strategies that recognise Nigeria’s demographic diversity and design solutions that meet the specific needs of its communities. 

Bintu Ajao, Regional Coordinator, works to see positive shift in perception of population management. Based in Lagos she shared insights for the South-West Region. Lagos is the third largest city in Africa by inhabitants- with over 17 million people.    

Jameen Kaur, Director of Advocacy and Influence, Population Matters captures the differences that inform fertility rates between and within regions in Nigeria. 

A Focus on Girls and Education 

Comfort Attah, Regional Coordinator, North East Region – a region that faces multiple challenges. ‘I envision a Nigeria where communities are empowered to drive their own development, where women, girls and youth have equal opportunities, and where population growth is managed through informed decision-making.’ 

Regional coordinator highlights challenges facing adolescent girls who are forced to drop out of the education system due to unintended pregnancies. These can be the result of gender-based-violence, or a lack of access to contraceptives or comprehensive sexuality education. 

Around 15% of girls age 15-19 in Nigeria have been pregnant, and about 44% marry before turning 18. Early pregnancies often disrupt girls’ education and reinforce cycles of inequality. Around 51% of girls complete secondary school, although these numbers are lower in northern regions where the risk of gender-based violence and negative cultural practices act as barriers to education. 

Jameen Kaur, Josh Hill and Margaret Edison, former director of the National Population Commission and expert advisor, at the Education Ministry. 

The median age in Nigeria is 18.1. With such a youthful population comes intense pressure on schools. This is why, during meetings with the Ministry of Education, discussions focused on integrated solutions- combining comprehensive sexuality education with accessible healthcare. This approach enables young people to pursue their education while making informed reproductive choices. 

When girls are educated, the whole community thrives. Supporting girls to complete secondary school raises household incomes, builds community resilience, and drives sustainable development. Research from the World Bank shows that improving education for adolescent girls could add US$2.4 trillion to African economies by 2040. 

CHOICE DRIVING CHANGE

Regional coordinators from across Nigeria shared their experiences and insights, identifying what approaches and initiatives create the greatest impact. They emphasised the power of community-led action, programmes that engage men, faith-based and traditional leaders, and collaborating with the media to highlight the benefits of child spacing.  

Abubakar Jimnoh, Project Manager, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, in Nigeria shares key learnings from their two-year project with Population Matters ‘two years ago, communities were not talking unsustainable project growth.’ 

Expanding opportunities for women and girls to exercise reproductive choice is essential. This requires access to voluntary family planning, comprehensive education on safe contraceptive methods, and reliable availability through pharmacies, public clinics, and mobile outreach services.

Around 12% of married women in Nigeria used modern contraceptive methods- a significant rise from 6% in 1990. While progress continues, ensuring universal access and informed choice remains a cornerstone of reproductive health and empowerment. 

When women and girls can exercise decisions on the number and spacing of their children, they can achieve their desired fertility and shape their own futures. 

Maryam Madi, Lawyer with CISLAC reflect on the findings of the Population Dialogue Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre and Population Matters joint project.   

Addressing population is not just about numbers. It means ensuring every individual can exercise their reproductive rights, make informed choices and live a healthy, productive life.  

Nigeria’s youthful population means there are around 3.5 million people entering the labour force every year, with a lack of employment driving many people to emigrate in search of better opportunities. To build a sustainable future, it’s necessary to tackle the root causes of why people over achieve their fertility preferences. This means: 

• Investing in people-centred health systems,

• Improving Access, Availability, Affordability and Quality (AAAQ) of health care, 

• Expanding evidence-based education,  

• Removing structural barriers that perpetuate and entrench poverty,  

• Partnering with communities to confront and prevent the harms of gender-based-violence. 

A lighter moment of reflection between journalist Rahma Olamide Oladosu (left) and CISLAC colleague. Olamide Oladosu captured insights from the workshop for an article on fertility and inter-related human rights issues for Economic Confidential. 

The way forward must be integrated and inclusive.  Bringing policy makers, community leaders, and experts into one room is only the beginning of the journey.  

By empowering women, educating communities, ensuring universal access to safe and modern contraception and comprehensive sexual education, Nigeria can transform the vibrant energy of its youth into lasting prosperity.

Jameen Kaur, Josh Hill and the entire regional workshop attendees convened by CISLAC.