Ondo State Government has reiterated its unwavering commitment to ensuring the availability of accurate data for effective planning and development across all sectors. This commitment was highlighted during the 2025 World Population Day celebration, jointly organized by the State Ministry of Health and the National Population Commission (NPC) in Akure.

Prof. Simidele Odimayo, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, emphasized the crucial role of the health sector in generating reliable population data.

He announced that the government has operationalized an electronic management system to enhance data accuracy, distributing over 260 laptops to relevant health facilities to improve efficiency.

Further demonstrating the State's dedication to robust healthcare infrastructure, Prof. Odimayo revealed that 102 Primary Health Care (PHC) centers are currently undergoing revitalization and rehabilitation. Additionally, the recruitment of more health workers at both PHC and secondary health levels is underway to support data-driven decision-making.

In terms of public health interventions, Prof. Odimayo disclosed that the government has received insecticide-treated nets for protection against mosquito-borne diseases, with a digital-based distribution process planned for accountability.

He also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving a national population census, advocating for a bimodal approach to the exercise to bolster national security.

Dr. Adeniran Ikuomola, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, underscored the necessity of accurate population figures for effective policy formulation and implementation.

Pastor (Mrs) Kemi Iyantan, Federal Commissioner representing Ondo State at the NPC, delivered the keynote address, focusing on the theme, “Empowering Young People to Create the Families they Want in a Fair and Hopeful World.”

She highlighted that adolescents and individuals under 25 years constitute approximately 63 percent of Nigeria’s population, with adolescents (10–19 years) at 23 percent, youth (20–24 years) at 17 percent, and young adults (25–34 years) at 22 percent.

Iyantan stressed the significance of vital statistics, particularly birth and death registration, for identity, citizenship, planning, development, and human rights protection. She noted Nigeria's transition to the digital VitalReg system (ECRVS) for birth and death registration, acknowledging that only 43 percent of children under five have officially registered births, and a significant proportion of deaths remain undocumented. She called for increased investment in education and economic opportunities for the youth.

Dr. Vivian Ibeziacko, representing the World Health Organization (WHO), commended the Ondo State Government for its data-driven planning and the development of a comprehensive demographic and health database, which she believes will promote equitable prosperity.

Olabisi Omolona, CEO of Restoration of the Dignity of Womanhood, lamented the lack of reliable data in the country, emphasizing the importance of birth registration for a child's identity and access to services. Mrs. Olamide Falana, Founder of Girls to Women Research and Development Centre, echoed this sentiment, urging prioritization of data collection and management for effective state planning.

Mr. Tunde Alabi, Programme Manager for Population in the Ministry of Health, addressed the issue of mandatory death reporting in Ondo State. He noted the existence of a state law requiring citizens to report deaths, yet the actual number and causes of deaths, especially those occurring outside hospitals, remain largely unknown. He urged citizens to comply with the law to enable the State to track and ascertain the causes of all deaths.

ONDO STATE PRIORITIZES DATA ACCURACY FOR DEVELOPMENT. CELEBRATES WORLD POPULATION DAY