Nigeria has a population that grows by about four million people annually, a growth that threatens to reach an unsustainable level given the current resources.
The country’s fertility rate remains high at 5.3 births per woman. However, experts recommend reducing this rate to 4 births by 2030, stressing the need for urgent strategic interventions to achieve this goal.
Dr. Ejike Orji, President of the Family Planning Association, highlighted success stories from countries like India and China, which transformed their economies by reducing fertility rates and investing in their young populations. He emphasized that following this path could provide Nigeria with a significant opportunity to turn its youthful population into an advantage. However, he warned, “If we don’t act now, the consequences will be disastrous,” stressing the importance of early intervention.
Dr. Orji emphasized that reducing the fertility rate is critical for alleviating future population pressures in Nigeria and improving living standards. “If we don’t reduce our fertility rates, we will have to accommodate 450 million people by 2050,” describing this as a major threat to sustainable development. He also stressed the importance of family planning for economic growth.
Martin Migombano, Executive Director of FP2030, highlighted the potential of family planning to reduce maternal deaths, noting that Nigeria could make a significant global contribution by lowering its maternal mortality rates. He pointed out that addressing high maternal mortality would be a significant step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Calls for expanding family planning services and increasing funding in Nigeria continue. Professor Rosemary Ogu called for more government funding to increase access to birth control and pregnancy care services, particularly in rural areas. Dr. Lucky Palmer stressed that all women, regardless of age, disability, or marital status, should have access to birth control.
Many women face barriers to access to contraception due to religious, cultural, or informational constraints, leading to unwanted pregnancies and high maternal mortality. International organizations are calling for increased investment in family planning in Nigeria to ensure women can access services more easily.
There is a call for the government to adopt a holistic approach to controlling population growth, one that balances economic and social development with policy interventions, education investments, and public awareness campaigns. Expanding access to family planning and reproductive health services is seen as a critical step for Nigeria in managing future population pressures.
