Abuja, Nigeria (April 24, 2024) UNFPA Executive Director, Dr Natalia Kanem, reiterated the importance of Nigeria conducting the Population and Housing Census during a meeting with the Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Hon. Nasir Kwarra during her visit to Abuja for the regional inauguration of the 2024 State of World Population (SWOP) Report.
The report highlights the significant disparities faced by African women, who experience a 130 times higher risk of maternal deaths compared to their counterparts in Europe and Northern America. The report also found that over half of preventable maternal deaths occur in countries affected by crises and conflicts, and there are higher maternal mortality rates among women of African descent in the Americas, as well as the increased vulnerability faced by indigenous women and women with disabilities. Gender-based violence was also identified as a critical issue affecting individuals with diverse sexual orientations and gender expressions.
The report was launched on April 24th in Abuja and highlights the progress made, but also the work left to be done since the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo in 1994. During the meeting with Kwarra, Kanem said it was important to “count everyone because everyone counts.” “Population data is going to make it easier for the district person and local governments to be able to manage and understand ‘where does this adolescent girl live? How can we bring the school closer to her doorstep?’,” said Kanem.
“Population is not just numbers, it is people - and this is what the people of the commission represent.” Kanem commended the long-standing partnership and collaboration the fund and the commission. She also urged the commission to continue to advocate for adolescent girls who are not only falling pregnant but dying in maternal mortality statistics. She urged the commissioners to figure out how to speak to the men and women in their states to protect the lives of the adolescent girls and encourage them to finish their education.
“That is the magic bullet. If every girl finishes her secondary school education, the economy prospers, the family also prospers,” said the UNFPA executive director. In turn Kwarra pointed out UNFPA's continued support for the nation’s population policy is appreciated as it will enable the nation to strengthen its capacity for data-driven decision-making and evidence-based policymaking.
According to Kwarra, “Conducting our census in alignment with the global schedule ensures our demographic data is comparable with international datasets, positioning Nigeria for informed decision-making and global relevance. This alignment also enables us to leverage global best practices and expertise, ensuring a high-quality census that meets international standards.” Kwarra added that Kanem’s visit to Nigeria would serve as a catalyst in making the census project very laudable. “We look forward to continued collaboration and support, ensuring a successful census and contributing to evidence-based policymaking, enhanced service delivery and sustainable development goals,” he said. “It is good to continue to re-echo this so that more Nigerians will see the relevance of conducting the census within this 2020 global census round. Together, with your support and collaboration, we can ensure that Nigeria not only meets but exceeds expectations,” he added.
He also commended the fund for its support for the commission’s Post-Enumeration Survey (PES) team which he said has been crucial, providing essential tools and equipment, including laptops, to enhance their work.
