By ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK, Uyo –
As the world marks World Population Day 2025, global partners have urged leaders to prioritize young people’s needs and voices in ensuring they have the rights, tools, and opportunities to shape their futures.
The theme ” _Empowering Young People to Create the Families They Demand a Fair and Hopeful World”_ resonates deeply across Africa, where youth make up a significant proportion of the population.
“Empowering young people with knowledge and access to services is not just a health issue—it’s a rights issue,” said the Country Director of The Challenge Initiative (TCI) in Nigeria, Taiwo Johnson.
Johnson emphasized that enabling access to accurate sexual and reproductive health information and services is critical to achieving inclusive development outcomes.
Despite progress made in expanding reproductive healthcare, reducing maternal mortality, and promoting gender equality, millions of young people still face barriers, including stigma, misinformation, and limited access to youth-friendly services.
Johnson added, “When young people are supported to make informed decisions, they become agents of change in their communities.”
“Programs like Life Planning for Adolescents and Youth (LPAY) are being scaled up in several states, equipping young people with comprehensive sexuality education.
“Social and digital media platforms are also being used to challenge myths and stigma around contraceptive use.
Abiodun Ajayi, LPAY Champion and Executive Director of Public Health Sustainable Advocacy Initiative (PHSAI), emphasized that young people’s needs must not be sidelined.
“This World Population Day is a reminder that we need investment in education, in health systems, and in policies that give us the tools to thrive,” Johnson pointed out.
Suliyat Eletu, Programme Officer of DevCom, a media development organization, echoed this sentiment, saying, “Young people must be at the centre of development. Their choices matter. Their dreams matter. And with the right support, they will lead the way toward healthier families and thriving communities.”