By Joel Ajayi
United Nations Population Fund ,UNFPA, has identified limited reproductive rights and poor access to family planning services as key drivers of Nigeria’s persistently high fertility rate, countering the notion that cultural preferences are solely responsible.
Presenting the highlights of the 2025 State of the World Population ,SWOP, Report on Tuesday in Abuja, UNFPA Nigeria Officer-in-Charge, Mr. Koessan Kuawu, emphasized that Nigeria remains an outlier globally in terms of fertility trends.
The report, themed “The Real Fertility Crisis: The Pursuit of Reproductive Health Agency,” was launched in partnership with the National Population Commission ,NPC. It explores global trends in reproductive autonomy and access to health services.
According to Kuawu, “Nigeria’s fertility crisis is not normal it reflects a failure to respect, protect, and fulfil individual reproductive rights”.
The report reveals that Nigeria’s fertility rate currently stands at 4.3 births per woman, far above the global average of 2.2 in 2024. In contrast, countries like South Korea and Italy have fertility rates of 0.75 and 1.21, respectively. Since the 1960s, the global average has declined from about five births per woman and is expected to fall even further by the year 2100.
Despite some Nigerians expressing a preference for larger families, the report notes that many are unable to achieve their desired family size due to systemic challenges. A joint UNFPA-Google survey across 14 countries showed that 30% of Nigerian men and 21% of women prefer to have four or more children well above global averages. However, economic, health, and social barriers often prevent these goals.
Among Nigerian women under 50, 12% reported having fewer children than they desired, and nearly half said they had no children despite wanting them. Conversely, 11% of women had more children than planned, while 90% of women over 50 ended up with fewer children than they initially wanted.
The report highlighted troubling gaps in sexual and reproductive autonomy. About 45% of Nigerian women and 20% of men reported being unable to refuse sex with a partner. Additionally, 25% of women and 13% of men said they couldn’t use their preferred contraceptive methods. Access to reproductive health services was also an issue for 24% of women and 40% of men.
Weaknesses in data systems, funding, policy implementation, and monitoring were identified as major obstacles to effective response.
The report calls for inclusive health systems, gender equality, and protection of individual reproductive choices, including the right to remain child-free.
Chairman of the National Population Commission ,NPC, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra, emphasized that the focus must shift from controlling population numbers to addressing the structural inequalities influencing reproductive decisions.
He cited the 2023–2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey ,NDHS, which showed a drop in the national Total Fertility Rate ,TFR, from 5.3 to 4.8 births per woman. However, adolescent fertility remains a concern, with 15% of girls aged 15 to 19 already pregnant or having begun childbearing.
While modern contraceptive use among married women has increased slightly to 15%, it remains well below Nigeria’s 2030 target of 27%. The unmet need for family planning currently stands at 21%, indicating a significant gap in service provision.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako represented by Mr. Alex Ugochukwu said the government is working with partners to expand access to family planning, integrate sexual and reproductive health with maternal and child care, and improve education, particularly for youth and vulnerable groups.
“Reproductive health goes beyond the health sector it intersects with education, gender equality, poverty reduction, and community empowerment”, Salako said.
He added that cross-sectoral collaboration is being enhanced and that advocacy for increased domestic funding is underway to improve service delivery.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Population, Senator Victor Umeh, cautioned against enforcing birth control through legislation. “Some countries like China have tried it, and it has not worked in their favour”, he warned.
