By Lizzy Carr
The Bauchi State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to harnessing the potential of its youthful population through strategic investments in education, health, employment, and gender equality.
Governor Bala Mohammed, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Aminu Hammayo, made the statement at a high-level sensitization meeting with key decision-makers and traditional rulers on harnessing the demographic dividend. The event, held at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Bauchi, was organized by the Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Governor Mohammed emphasized that harnessing the demographic dividend is crucial for accelerating economic growth and development and aligns with the Bauchi State Development Plan. He stressed the urgent need for investments in education, reproductive health, decent employment, and gender equality to ensure that every young person in the state can fulfill their potential.
“The state is making strategic efforts to key into the national roadmap for harnessing the demographic dividend, which was launched in 2017,” he said, while expressing appreciation to UNFPA for its continued partnership and support.
With over 60 percent of Bauchi State’s population under the age of 25, the government says harnessing the demographic dividend is not just a policy choice but a necessary pathway to long-term prosperity and it is ready to lead the way.
Also speaking at the event, the State Commissioner for Budget, Economic Planning, and Multilateral Coordination, Hajiya Amina Mohammed Katagum, described the workshop as part of a long-term strategy to unify all sectors of development planning around a demographic dividend roadmap. She noted that youth are central to the state’s investment and development priorities.
According to her, Bauchi State remains committed to fostering multisectoral collaboration with development partners to harness the potential of its vibrant young population.
UNFPA Resident Representative Dr. Gifty Addico, in a message delivered by the Gender and Reproductive Health Analyst and State Programme Officer, Deborah Tabara, said the demographic dividend programme remains a promising strategy for empowering young people and accelerating development through strategic investments in health, education, empowerment, and political participation.
“Since the launch of the roadmap in 2017, UNFPA has been working to strengthen national and subnational capacities to implement programmes that support sustainable development through investment in youth,” she said.
UNFPA then called on the Bauchi State Government to commit, resources and put systems in place for Harnessing the demographic dividend of its youthful population.
A similar sensitization meeting was earlier held with members of the academia, who play a vital role in data gathering, research, and policy development.
UNFPA remains the United Nations Agency for sexual and reproductive health whose mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every child
birth is safe and every young person’s achieve their potentials.
