2 hours ago
4
The Association for the Advancement of Family Planning (AAFP) has raised a fresh alarm over Nigeria’s rapidly increasing population, reiterating that the country’s demographic imbalance poses significant socio-economic risks.
Chairman of the Technical Management Committee Dr. Ejike Oji, emphasised that 80% of the population relies on just 20% of the workforce.
This demographic burden, he added, is exacerbating issues like unemployment, poverty, and inadequate infrastructure.
Oji who disclosed this in his paper presentation tiled “Population Dynamics” during a media round table ahead of the 8th Nigeria Family Planning Conference slated for December, stressed that the population growth, coupled with high fertility rates, has led to a mounting dependency ratio.
Dr. Oji’s analysis showed alarming population trends, comparing Nigeria’s growth to that of Britain. In 1960, Nigeria’s population stood at 45 million, while Britain’s was 52.2 million.
“By 2020, Nigeria’s population had surged to 206 million, overtaking Britain’s 67.3 million in the same period. Despite this remarkable population increase, Nigeria’s per capita income has dropped significantly, now standing at $870—far below Britain’s $42,300,” he noted.
“In 1991, Nigeria’s youth dependency ratio was 86.8%. By 2020, it remained alarmingly high at nearly 80%, meaning a large portion of the population is not contributing economically but instead depends on a small working segment.”
He further emphasized the critical need for comprehensive family planning policies to address the fertility rate, which remains at 5.3 children per woman, far above the global average of 2.5. Dr. Oji stressed that for Nigeria to avoid a demographic disaster, its fertility rate must be reduced to at least 4.
“No matter how smart our economic policies are, if we do not address our fertility rate, we cannot achieve meaningful development,” he cautioned.
Dr. Oji also pointed to the rising child mortality rates, particularly neonatal deaths, which remain a significant health challenge. The lack of improvements in maternal health, coupled with inadequate healthcare services, continues to contribute to the high death rates among mothers and infants.
On the broader implications of these population trends, Dr. Oji warned, “75% of Nigeria’s population is under the age of 34, largely unemployed and uneducated. This situation breeds frustration and insecurity, which is already manifesting in widespread social unrest.” He linked Nigeria’s demographic challenges to the growing wave of emigration, particularly among young professionals seeking better opportunities abroad.
He therefore called on government and private sectors to prioritize family planning and invest in population control measures, noting the importance of the upcoming 8th Nigerian Family Planning Conference, scheduled for December, which will bring together key stakeholders to discuss strategies for reducing fertility rates and improving reproductive health services.
“We are at a crossroads. Government need to commit to the urgent release of funds for population control programs and to implement policies that can mitigate the challenges posed by Nigeria’s population explosion.
“The conference will be pivotal in shaping Nigeria’s future demographic policies, with international support from organizations such as the Gates Foundation and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) set to play a key role in the discussions,” he said.
Earlier, a consultant at Amref International, Ifesinachi Eze, highlighted that disruptions in family planning and reproductive health services during humanitarian crises often leave women with unmet needs, placing additional strain on health systems and demanding collaborative efforts for solutions.
She called for governments and the private sector to join forces in establishing the necessary regulatory frameworks, financial incentives, and infrastructure to support the growth of the health sector.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of the FP 2030 North, West, and Central Africa Hub, Martin Migombano, emphasized that Nigeria’s population could reach 450 million by 2050 due to the country’s large size. He also pointed out that Nigeria accounts for about 28.5% of the world’s maternal mortality.
“There is still much work to be done by our partners, religious leaders, the government, financial donors, and others,” he added.
