Nigeria can’t achieve its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) without drastically slowing down its fertility rate, the federal government has said.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, during the celebration of the World Population Day, organised by the National Population Commission (NPC) in Abuja on Thursday.
The minister, represented by Director of Family Health, Salma Ibrahim Anas, said it would be difficult for Nigeria to achieve its SDGs with the average 5.3 average of fertility in the country.
Mr Ehanire said, “We must regulate fertility, without fertility regulation, we’re going nowhere. This is actually the key to unlock the success of sustainable development in Nigeria and the Ministry of Health has positioned itself to fulfill this purpose.”
NPC Chairman Nasir Isa Kwarra said the commission would give a reliable and credible data census with international standards.
Resident Representative, United Nations Population Fund, Ulla Mueller, said African nations relied on Nigeria to assist in achieving the SDGs 2030.
