Background <p>Delayed childbearing is increasingly recognized as a demographic trend with profound implications for public health, particularly among women aged 35 and older. While often viewed as a challenge due to associated maternal health risks and socio-cultural pressures, this study contends that, if effectively managed, delayed childbearing can serve as a strategic tool for achieving the First Demographic Transition (FDT) in Nigeria and other Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. By examining the relationship between women’s empowerment and delayed childbearing, this research aims to highlight how empowerment can be leveraged to mitigate health risks and contribute to sustainable demographic transitions.</p> Methods <p>This study constructs four empowerment dimensions—decision-making autonomy, asset ownership, control over reproductive health, and socio-cultural beliefs—using data from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) to explore their influence on delayed childbearing among women aged 35 and older. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses are employed to assess the impact of these dimensions on reproductive timing.</p> Results <p>Decision-making autonomy and asset ownership emerged as significant predictors of delayed childbearing. Women with medium and high levels of decision-making autonomy were substantially more likely to delay childbirth (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.643, 95% CI: 1.144–6.106, and AOR = 2.024, 95% CI: 1.009–4.059, respectively). Medium asset ownership was also associated with delayed reproduction (AOR = 1.750, 95% CI: 1.016–3.013), whereas high asset ownership showed no significant effect. In contrast, socio-cultural empowerment and control over reproductive health were not significantly associated with delayed childbearing.</p> Conclusions <p>This study underscores the pivotal role of women’s empowerment—especially decision-making autonomy and economic resources—in shaping reproductive choices and delaying childbearing. Policy interventions that enhance women’s agency, expand economic opportunities, safeguard reproductive health rights, and challenge restrictive socio-cultural norms are essential for addressing the health risks and societal challenges posed by delayed reproduction. By aligning these strategies with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and 5 (Gender Equality), Nigeria can foster a socio-cultural environment in which women are empowered to make informed reproductive decisions, thereby contributing to demographic stability and sustainable development.</p>