Global Reach: Nigeria

EMpower in NIGERIA

EMpower's work focuses on Education and Health and Well-being in Calabar, Benin City, Abuja and Lagos. Nigeria has a population of over 167 million. Young people aged 10-24 represent about a third of the population.

Issues affecting Youth

Health and Reproductive Rights

Approximately 40% of Nigerian women are married by the age of 18 and about 29% of them will have their first child by that age as well. Many Nigerian women are unaware of modern forms of contraception and unable to identify the symptoms of common infections, let alone seek treatment.

Youth Unemployment and Limited Opportunities

According to the National Bureau of Statistics in Nigeria, 56% of youth aged 15-24 were either unemployed or underemployed in the first quarter of 2016. With the population growing at a significant rate and the economy’s inability to create jobs for the millions of new entrants to the labor market each year, young people are struggling to make ends meet and support their families.

Our Approach to tackling the Issues

We support organizations that:

• Provide sexual and reproductive health training to young women
• Foster opportunities for livelihoods development

Other countries in Africa:

• Ghana
• South Africa