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Nigeria Census Reveals Women Outnumber Men in Latest Population Figures
Nigeria latest census figures show that women make up a slight majority of the population, outnumbering men for the first time in recent years, according to new data released by the National Population Commission.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The report said that 3,250,338 people, or 52.15 percent, were females, while 2,982,335 people, or 47.85 percent, were males. Officials said the results highlight important demographic changes that could affect economic planning, education, health care, and political representation in Africa’s most populous nation.
The figures mark a significant moment for Nigeria, which has long been recognized for its fast-growing population. With more than 200 million people, the country is expected to become the third most populous nation in the world by 2050, behind India and China.
Population experts said the new gender breakdown may shape policies in areas such as maternal health, women’s education, and labor force participation. “This is more than just numbers,” said Dr. Kemi Adedayo, a demographer at the University of Lagos. “When women are the majority, governments need to think carefully about services that respond to their needs and opportunities that empower them.”
Officials from the National Population Commission said the data was collected through the most recent census exercise, which covered both urban and rural areas. They noted that the female population has been growing steadily over the past decade due to improvements in maternal health care and life expectancy.
Nigeria has faced repeated challenges in carrying out accurate census counts, including insecurity in some regions, funding shortages, and logistical difficulties in reaching remote communities. Despite these hurdles, officials described the new data as the most reliable and up-to-date figures available.
Census results are critical for Nigeria because they directly influence how government funds are shared among states and local governments. They also guide national policies on housing, infrastructure, and public services.
The new data may also affect political discussions. Nigeria’s constitution requires fair representation of citizens across regions, and population numbers often determine the number of seats each area receives in the House of Representatives. A higher female population could increase calls for greater women’s representation in politics, where they currently remain underrepresented.
Activists welcomed the report as an opportunity to push for stronger gender equality. “For too long, women have been seen as a minority in leadership and decision-making,” said Aisha Musa, director of a women’s rights organization in Abuja. “Now the numbers confirm that we are the majority. Policies and representation must reflect that reality.”
At the same time, experts warned that Nigeria’s rapid population growth continues to pose challenges. High unemployment, poverty, and pressure on schools and hospitals remain major concerns. Without careful planning, the growing female population could face limited access to education and jobs.
The World Bank has previously cautioned that Nigeria’s demographic trends require urgent investments in human capital. Expanding opportunities for women and girls, such as education, vocational training, and small business support, is seen as a key step in turning population growth into economic strength.
Government officials said they plan to release more detailed breakdowns of the census data in the coming months, including age distribution, regional differences, and urban-rural population ratios. These details are expected to provide a clearer picture of Nigeria’s future social and economic challenges.
“The census is not just a statistical exercise,” said Isa Bello, spokesperson for the population commission. “It is about planning for our people — their health, their education, their security, and their future. Every Nigerian counts, and this data will help us make better decisions.”
As Nigeria looks ahead, the balance between men and women in its population will continue to shape debates on equality, development, and governance. With women now holding a small but significant majority, the challenge for policymakers will be ensuring that numbers translate into progress.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has revealed that his push for an opposition coalition was initially rejected by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Atiku made the disclosure during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, where he reflected on events following the PDP’s defeat in the 2023 presidential election. According to him, he warned party leaders after the election that the PDP could struggle politically without forming alliances with other opposition forces. “To be honest, I was one of the major initiators of this coalition. After the PDP lost the last election, I told the party clearly that I did not see a future for the PDP without a coalition,” he said. Atiku said his advice was rejected at the time, despite his conviction that Nigeria’s political history had shown the importance of alliances. “They disagreed with me then. I have studied Nigeria’s political transition over the years and saw how previous alliances worked, so it was not difficult for me to foresee this,” he stated. The former vice president added that his support for coalition politics was also influenced by his desire to encourage the emergence of younger leaders he believes are vital to Nigeria’s future. “I saw some of these younger politicians as the future leaders of this country, and I felt it was my duty to point that out,” he said. However, Atiku claimed the resistance he encountered within the party was driven more by personal feelings than by disagreement over the substance of his proposal. “They disagreed with me simply because they did not want to see my face, not because of what I was suggesting,” he said. Atiku added that recent political developments have now vindicated his position on the need for a broad opposition alliance ahead of future elections.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the African Democratic Congress (ADC) will first pursue a consensus arrangement before considering a primary election for its 2027 presidential ticket.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Atiku made this known during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday while discussing the party’s leadership and strategy ahead of the next general election.
He said he is open to backing a consensus candidate if that becomes the party’s collective decision, stressing that such support should not be interpreted as stepping aside.
“It is not about stepping aside, but whether I am willing to support, and yes, I will,” Atiku said.
According to him, the ADC’s first priority is to build internal unity and reach an agreement among stakeholders before considering a competitive primary process.
“Our first option will be to work out a consensus. If that doesn’t happen, then of course we will explore other options. And yes, I will support whoever eventually emerges,” he stated.
Atiku also expressed confidence in the political experience within the party, saying he believes a consensus is achievable and may make a full-scale primary contest unnecessary.
“That remains our preferred path. We will go for primaries if consensus fails, but I honestly do not expect it to get to that stage because we are dealing with mature and experienced politicians,” he added.
His comments come amid growing political consultations and coalition talks as parties begin to position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has significantly strengthened his chances of winning the 2027 presidential election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Atiku made the remarks during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Wednesday. Speaking on what makes his latest presidential bid different from previous attempts, Atiku said the ADC coalition brings together key political figures from across major parties, including the APC, PDP and Labour Party. He described the alliance as a broader and more strategic political arrangement ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to him, the coalition has created a stronger platform that improves his prospects. “Now, we have a broader coalition — a combination of APC, PDP and LP — which gives me a better chance of becoming president in 2027,” he said. Atiku also noted that the coalition reflects both experience and generational inclusion, which he said shows a clear succession plan. “You see people of my generation, and you see younger people coming behind us, so you can clearly see a succession pattern,” he added. Meanwhile, Atiku described former President Goodluck Jonathan as a decent but inexperienced leader. According to him, Jonathan’s lack of experience contributed to shortcomings in governance and played a role in his defeat in the 2015 presidential election. “I know Goodluck Jonathan very well. He is a decent young man, but he was also inexperienced, and that contributed to his failure in managing the affairs of the country,” Atiku said. He made the remarks while stressing the need for experienced and capable leadership in Nigeria.
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