By Yusuf Ishaku Goje
The Kaduna State government has taken a significant step towards harnessing the potential of its population with the development of the Kaduna State Demographic Dividends Roadmap, 2024.
This if effectively implemented will significantly accelerate the governments effort towards reducing multidimensional poverty (8.04 million, NBS 2022), unemployment (44.3%, NBS, 2020), Under-5 mortality (127 per 1000 live birth, MICS 2021), out-of-school children (768,739, KDGHS, 2020), insecurity among other challenges.
The Roadmap (2024) outlines key actions towards achieving the 2030 Agenda of the SDGs, the African Union Agenda 2063, Nigerian Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), Kaduna State Development Plan (SDP), and SUSTAIN agenda launched in 2023. The roadmap has five thematic investment pillars: Good Governance, Economic Empowerment, Education, Health and Wellbeing, and Security, Equity and Justice.
To accelerate implementation, we advocate for establishing a Technical Working Group under the Human Capital Development Strategic Team, headed by the Deputy Governor. This coordination platform will drive the domestication of the African Union and Nigerian demographic dividend roadmaps, ensure youth participation in decision-making and governance, and promote economic growth and sustainable development.
The roadmap emphasizes the potential of a well-developed human capital base, particularly among the youth population, to drive economic productivity and growth. With a high dependency ratio of 121.29, where 100 working-age individuals support 121.29 dependents, it is imperative that stakeholders work together to implement the roadmap and ensure that the state’s youthful population becomes a driving force for economic growth and development.
This strategic roadmap recognizes the immense opportunities presented by the state’s youthful population, with 83.8% of the population under 40 years and 31% aged 15-34 years. While for children, 0 to 17 years make up 53.5% of the population of the State. Therefore, the roadmap serves as a call to action, highlighting the need for targeted investments to unlock the potential of this demographic and prevent it from becoming a liability.
The demographic landscape reveals a concerning statistic: approximately 49% of women of reproductive age (15-49 years) have no formal education, and 76.3% are married, with 72.3% having experienced childbirth. Limited health insurance coverage at 2.0% further highlights the need for targeted interventions in education and reproductive health to empower women and address these disparities.
The state’s population surged from 3,935,618 in 1991 to 10,409,120 in 2023, with an annual growth rate of 3%. At this pace, the population is projected to reach 12,959,334 by 2030. This rapid growth is primarily driven by declining mortality rates, while fertility rates have not decreased as quickly.
Therefore, by investing in the most productive segment of its population, Kaduna State can unlock a demographic dividend that will propel the state towards a brighter future. The time to act is now, and we call on the government, civil society, and private sector to work together to implement the Kaduna State Demographic Dividend Roadmap (2024) and create a more prosperous and sustainable future for all its citizens.
The FCDO-Lafiya Programme has already taken the lead in providing technical support to the State government, Ministry of Youth Development and Youth Advocacy Coalition on Demographic Dividend towards this goal. This is commendable and should motivate other partners to join hands in accelerating the implementation of the roadmap.
Lets engage, ask the right questions and hold the government accountable.
#kadunaddroadmap
#empowerkadunayouth
#lafiyapalladium
#UKinNigeria
#CivicImpact
Goje is an active citizen, civil society member and OGP enthusiast
