Revised population policy to tackle maternal deaths by 2030 ― FG

The National Population Commission has disclosed that the revised National Population Policy is put together towards tackling Nigeria’s maternal deaths by 2030.

The Chairman of the Commission, Nasir Isa Kwarra, disclosed this in Abuja at a media engagement on the revised National Policy on Population for Sustainable Development organised by Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN).

The 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (2018 NDHS) revealed that Nigeria’s maternal mortality ratio (MMR) is 512 deaths per 100,000 live births, which is one of the worst maternal health indices in the world.

Kwarra said the policy would address the country’s population growth challenges, and also ensure the reduction of some negative practices against women and girls by the end of 2030.

While stating that
Kwarra said the policy was to shift the demography to a productive age that would increase manpower to spur economic activities in the country as the bulk of Nigeria’s population was within the ages of 0-15,

“The policy, when implemented, would lead to a decline in rural to urban migration by 5 per cent annually while achieving a reduction of the national annual population growth rate to 2 per cent by the year 2030”. Kwarra added.

The Coordinator of African Health Budget Network (AHBN), Dr Aminu Magashi Garba, said the aim of the meeting is to engage the media on the contents of the revised population policy so that the media will become champions and partners of Sustainable Development Goals

“President Muhammadu Buhari signed the revised National Population Policy in February 2022 and the commission and other government agencies are expected to promote the agenda of the Policy”.

“The contents of the policy is aims to reduce the country’s maternal mortality ratio from 512 per 100, 000 live births to 72 per 100,000 live births; and to attain zero maternal deaths by 2030”.