The United Nations Population Fund has warned that the lack of funding for family planning in the country could result in an increase in unwanted pregnancies and abortions.

This was highlighted during the 2023 World Population Day event organized by the National Population Commission in Abuja.

Dr. Adeela Khan, a Technical Specialist from the UNDP, stated that the funding gap for family planning has widened, reaching $32 million in 2023 compared to $25 million the previous year.

This funding shortfall could lead to approximately 700,000 unintended pregnancies, resulting in 300,000 unplanned births and 300,000 unsafe abortions.

Despite some efforts by the government, such as the National Policy for Population and Sustainable Development, the challenge of financing family planning remains.

The rising population in Nigeria, which outpaces economic growth, was also emphasized, highlighting the need for holistic and sustainable approaches to address these issues.