Professor O.A. Ladipo Speaks at the 2nd Annual Population Lecture Series

Nigeria’s Quest for Demographic Dividend
Nigeria has been undergoing explosive population growth and has one of the highest fertility rates of 5.7 in the world (PRB 2011 Data sheet). By projections, Nigeria is one of eight countries expected to account collectively for half of the world’s total population increase from 2005–2050. At the centre of this explosive population growth are young people; one of Nigeria’s greatest resources says Prof O. A Ladipo at the 2nd Annual Population Lecture Series held at Sheraton Hotel Abuja on November 26th 2013. He further added that the attention to the unique needs of this population could not be timely. Adolescent mothers face devastating social, educational, economic and health outcomes. Girls who become pregnant confront discrimination within their communities and are often forced to drop out of school or get married.
The 2013 Annual Population Lecture Series is geared towards addressing the challenges of population and development as well as to elicit positive policy change in Nigeria. The theme for this year’s event is Nigeria’s Quest for Demographic Dividend
The annual event is aimed at creating awareness with regards to issues of population and development. The first lecture was held in November 2012. Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH) support the Federal government of Nigeria in ensuring that the country enjoys the benefits of its demographic dividend through commitment to voluntary family planning, investment in child survival and health programs as well as prioritization of quality education for all including the girl child.