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 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 per cent 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.