For the first time in Nigeria, a conference on the active participation of the private sector in harvesting the mental and physical strength of the young population was held.

The conference convened by the National Population Commission, UNFPA, Hacey Health Initiative, GBC Health, One Campaign, Population Council and tagged “Private Sector Conference on Harnessing the Demographic Dividend in Nigeria“ held at Four Points by Sheraton, Victoria Island, Lagos, was focused on attempting to galvanise the private sector involvement in ensuring the young population are actively part of the labour force.

The likes of Senator Isa Lau (Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Population and National ID), the chairman, National Population Commission, Eze Duruiheoma; the Country Director, Population Council, Dr Sylvia Adebajo; Communications Lead, Microsoft (Nigeria), Yemi Orimolade; Director General, National Population Commission, Dr Ghaji Bello did justice to discussing the challenges, opportunities, possible action plans on private sector investments in a relatively vibrant young population.

Speaking, Mrs Bolanle (Access Bank) said the “wealth and strength of any nation is in its youth“. Adding that “We (Access Bank) are hopeful and confident of the potential of young people in Nigeria“.

In another perspective, Mr Orimolade (Microsoft) said there is a “skill gap among youth in Nigeria“. His was a call to action.

He added: “We need to ask ourselves what we (youth) do with our time in order not to be classified as lazy“.

Then came the panel sessions, with the first panel exploring “Education, Employment and Entrepreneurship as a Tool for Economic Development”.

Moderated by Abiola Salami, all on the first panel – Bamidele Odusote (Business Analyst, ACIOE); Dr Haliru Bala (Federal Commissioner, National Population Commission, Kebbi); Anita Okemini (Policy Director, ONE campaign); Yemi Orimolade (Microsoft) agreed that the private sector is, indeed, indispensable in the development of a vibrant economy.

“If the private sector demand certain skills, they automatically shape the labour market“, Odusote said. “The private sector need to be actively involved in dignifying skills and knowledge acquired in an informal setting,” She added.

The second panel moderated by Abosede Omoruyi discussed “Improving Health for Economic Growth” – in other words, the role of the private sector in leading and supporting health focused interventions to maximise investment in Nigeria’s human capital.

Dr Omolaso Omosehin (Assistant Representative/Head, Lagos Liason Office); Dr Sylvia Adebajo; Dr Omasanjuwa Edun (State Team Leader, NURHI) and Oluwasijibomi Ojajuni (Director, Research and Development, HACEY Health Initiative) were on the panel.

YNaija had a private chat with Dr Adebajo and her reply to the question of the impact of controversial and outdated census on the demographic dividend was:

“First and foremost, for effective decision-making, policy formulation that result in accelerating economic growth and reaping demographic dividend, the government, donors, development partners need data and research to identify gaps and track progress in the countries indices. The country is in dire need of another round of census and other national population-based surveys.

“But unfortunately, some of the existing surveys were conducted years ago, for example the national census. The last national census was conducted in 2006. It is about time that we had a new census conducted for us to know the size of the population. 

“Otherwise, it gives room for projections which are often wrong and contradictory. But it is not enough to know the population size, but to characterize the structure and the demographics of the population for example, the age and sex distribution, estimate the life expectancy rate etc. 

“So, these are very important indices that are relevant for tracking progress. Another example is when we talk about the total fertility rate which is currently 5.5. This is the average number of children a woman in Nigeria which is at least five children. Unfortunately, we don’t know if that is decreasing or increasing. How do we measure progress if we don’t have adequate data?

“This is where the private sector can contribute through funding research that will provide the evidence for more constructive and targeted programing to meet unmet needs. 

“Government will formulate policies and channel scare resources to needed sectors only when they know where the gaps are, and how do we know this? Through evidence generated to inform programmes and policies and that’s what the National Population Commission and Population Council do“.