Institutionalization of Demographic Dividend Programming: Lessons from Nigeria

Noah Olasehinde, University of Ibadan
Olanrewaju Olaniyan, University of Ibadan
Akanni Lawanson, University of Ibadan
Oyeteju Odufuwa, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Olabanji Awodumi, University of Ibadan
Temitope Olalude, University of Ibadan
Andat Dasogot, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

Nigeria is a federation of 36 States and a Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Given the largely heterogeneous nature of Nigeria’s demographic profile, creating and harnessing the demographic dividend (DD) in the country will require in-depth consideration of the peculiarity of the component states. The objective of this paper is to examine how the DD activities in Nigeria have been programmed and institutionalized to ensure a sequential process towards the attainment of DD for Nigeria. This study is hinged on theory of change which provides a comprehensive illustration of how and why desired change is expected to happen in a particular context. The strategy for institutionalization involves a multi-stakeholder consultative process, in a 4-phase programming step. The steps include preparation, planning, implementation and control. Currently in Nigeria, the outputs of the phases shows that there are national and seven subnational roadmaps; only three gap analyses and DD profiles; one DD-Budget Integration; one guideline to map DD into its State Development Plan; and two the national DD Monitoring Index. The lessons learnt from the institutionalization process come from emphasis on explicit government commitment and good governance, strategic partnerships and stakeholders’ buy-in with adequate domiciliation of the observatory.

Keywords: Economic Demography

See extended abstract.