From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse
The large number of population in Jigawa state has been described as a major catalyst for developing the state to compete worldwide economically if it use properly.
This was announced by the an expert Dr Musa Zakirai while presenting his paper during a one day dissemination meeting on Demographic Dividends in Jigawa organized by National population commission with support From Lafiya UKaid project, held at Hasinah Confectionery hall in Dutse.
The expert warned that, Jigawa is at risk of losing the economic benefits of its youthful population as widening gaps in education and healthcare threaten to derail its demographic dividend.
He also warned that poor school attendance, high dropout rates, and inadequate health services could stall the state’s growth unless urgent interventions are implemented.
He noted that while Jigawa has a youthful population, poor access to education and inadequate health services remain major obstacles.
The consultant explained that girls are disproportionately affected due to poverty, early marriage, and insecurity, warning that these gaps threaten long-term socio-economic growth in the state.
He described the demographic dividend as the economic and social gains achievable when a large working-age population is healthy, skilled, and productively engaged, stressing that education, healthcare, and population management are key to unlocking this opportunity.
On health and wellbeing, identified as Pillar One of the strategy, Dr. Zakirai emphasised the need to expand sexual and reproductive health services, including improved birth spacing, adolescent support, and culturally sensitive sexuality education.
He also called for strengthened maternal, neonatal, child, and adolescent healthcare through improved skilled care, immunisation coverage, postnatal services, and nutrition, while urging action against harmful practices such as female genital mutilation and sexual violence.
While delivering his speech the UKaid Lafiya representative Comrade Isah Hussaini Muhammad said, the one-day meeting is organised to validate and translate key messages of the Jigawa State Demographic Dividend policy.
He then urged the media to contribute their quota by enlighten the stakeholders on the risk of not using our population properly.
