We need to regulate fertility — FG

The federal government has called for regulation of birth rate in the country to achieve sustainable development.

The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, said this in Abuja Thursday at the celebration of the World Population Day, organised by the National Population Commission (NPC).

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Ehanire, represented by Director, Family Health, Salma Ibrahim Anas, said it would be difficult for Nigeria to achieve its Sustainable Development Goals with the average 5.3 average of fertility in the country.

“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.”

Chairman, NPC, 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.

She said: “As you may be aware, Nigeria’s population is currently increasing at a rate of 3.2 percent annually and it’s projected at 216m in 2022 and may reach 400m by 2050, making it the world’s most populated nation.