Governor Caleb Muftwang of Plateau State has announced that the 19 northern governors of Nigeria will soon begin discussions on the region’s rapidly increasing birth rate, which he described as a “ticking time bomb.”
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily program on Tuesday, Muftwang stressed the urgent need for strategies to support the education and welfare of children in the region. He warned that without adequate infrastructure and human capital development, the growing youth population could exacerbate the ongoing issues of banditry and terrorism in northern Nigeria.
“We are sitting on a time bomb,” Muftwang said, highlighting the potential for increased instability if the region’s youth are not provided with proper education and opportunities. He noted that the elite in the north have largely neglected their responsibility to the younger generation, allowing criminal elements to exploit and radicalize vulnerable youths.
The governor criticized the northern elite for sending their children to prestigious schools locally and abroad while leaving the majority of the youth without proper care or guidance. He emphasized the need for a balanced approach, suggesting a “carrot-and-stick” strategy to ensure that parents take responsibility for the children they bring into the world.
“I don’t want to prescribe a maximum number of children people should have, but we must ensure that those who do have children take full responsibility for their upbringing,” Muftwang stated. He revealed that the Forum of Northern Governors would spearhead this dialogue, with plans to expand the conversation to a national level.
Muftwang also addressed the role of religion in society, calling for religious leaders to align with global realities and contribute positively to societal development. He stressed that religion should not hinder progress but should instead help guide responsible parenting and community building.
Furthermore, the governor committed to holding parents accountable for out-of-school children, assuring that by the end of his term in 2027, no willing child in Plateau State would be left uneducated.
On the issue of poverty alleviation, Muftwang highlighted the importance of agriculture and food security but acknowledged that banditry has severely impacted these sectors. He called for reclaiming lands lost to insecurity and putting them to productive use to ensure food security in the region.
