By Victoria Onehi
The Director of Projects at Development Research and Project Centre (dRPC), Dr Stanley Ukpai, has averred that the family planning funding deficit being experienced currently is a wake-up call for stakeholders to work towards internal domestic resource mobilisation for the Nigerian nation.
Dr Ukpai made this known while speaking to newsmen at the 13th Annual International Conference 2025 themed:Population Growth, Demography Challenges and National Development, jointly organised with the Population Association of Nigeria (PAN) in Abuja on Monday.
He said’: “This panel today will look at what the opportunities are for the country to begin to make proper recommendations regarding this funding gap in the long term.
“I think by now, everybody knows that this is a wake up call for internal domestic resource mobilisation for the country, and there’s no better time to have that conversation. So we’re looking forward to having that conversation at this panel with academics, policymakers and even development practitioners who are currently working the field of demography. Hopefully we’ll have a good work today.”
In his key note address, Prof. Akanni Akinyemi , Demography and Social Statistics Department and Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Innovation, and Development, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife, called all stakeholders to take action to tackle the challenges head-on with a view to filling the gaps.
He said:”It is important to acknowledge that the challenge before us in shaping Nigeria’s demographic future is complex and far-reaching, Let us take a moment to reflect on the weight of the responsibility before us as – researchers, programme implementors, government representatives and critical stakeholders in the Nigeria enterprise.
“The challenges we face like gaps in accurate data and information, insecurity, corruption, the impacts of climate change on population dynamics, the complexities of migration, and the urgent need for sustainable development pathways—demand not just rigorous analysis but decisive action.” Akinyemi said.
Speaking earlier, the Acting Vice Chancellor, Yakubu Gowon University, Prof. Patricia Lar, stressed the imperative of adequately funding population census for reliable statistics, proper planing, and unfettered national development.
Highlight of the event was the unveiling of the publication courtesy of Population Association of Nigeria tagged: Strategic Plan (2025 – 2029) by the VC Patricia Lar alongside other dignitaries at the event.
The event was held in collaboration with the development Research and Projects Center (dRPC), a Nigerian non-profit organisation formed in 1993 by 10 academics and development practitioners from Nigerian Universities.
The Centre’s mission is to tackle development and humanitarian challenges as they emerge by equipping local Civil Society Groups (CSGs) with the resources, skills and competences, enabling them to be pivotal actors in the design and application of high impact local solutions.
