Experts have sounded an alarm over Nigeria’s population growth, projecting it could soar to 450 million by 2050 if urgent measures are not implemented. The warning came during a media roundtable held ahead of the eighth Nigeria Family Planning Conference in Abuja. The event was organized by the Association for the Advancement of Family Planning (AAFP), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and other stakeholders.
Dr. Ejike Oji, Chairman of the AAFP Management Committee and the conference’s Local Organising Committee, highlighted the country’s high fertility rate as a key driver of the population surge. “If we continue with the same fertility rate, our population will reach 450 million by 2050,” Dr. Oji said. He noted that Nigeria adds approximately four million people to its population annually—a figure expected to grow exponentially in the coming years.
Dr. Oji drew comparisons to China and India, countries that have successfully managed population growth and leveraged it for economic progress. He emphasized that Nigeria has a similar opportunity but warned that failure to reduce fertility rates to four percent by 2030 could result in severe socioeconomic challenges. “If we miss this chance, we’ll face a demographic crisis,” he cautioned.
Addressing Family Planning Challenges
The conference, themed “Sustaining Commitments for Family Planning within the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative: Advancing Progress Toward Achieving FP2030 Goals,” aims to reinforce the importance of family planning as a critical tool for population management. Stakeholders will discuss strategies to scale up family planning initiatives, tackling barriers such as funding gaps, limited accessibility, and cultural resistance.
Dr. Martin Migombano, Managing Director of FP2030 North, West, and Central Africa Hub, echoed concerns about Nigeria’s population growth and its implications for maternal health. He revealed that Nigeria accounts for 28.5% of global maternal mortality, underscoring the urgency of addressing family planning and reproductive health issues. “Collaborative efforts from government, financial partners, religious leaders, and civil society are essential to make family planning accessible at the grassroots level,” he said.
Collaboration as the Key to Progress
Consultant Ifesinachi Eze from Amref International highlighted the impact of disruptions in family planning and reproductive health services, particularly in humanitarian settings. She emphasized the need for innovative solutions, such as USAID’s Propel Adapt project, which is developing a private sector engagement guide to strengthen family planning supply chains during emergencies.
Eze stressed that sustainable development in the health sector requires strong partnerships. “Governments and the private sector must work together to create regulatory frameworks, financial incentives, and infrastructure that allow the health sector to thrive,” she said.
The Path Forward
Nigeria’s efforts to meet its FP2030 commitments remain critical as the nation grapples with the challenges of population growth. By reducing fertility rates, investing in education, and improving access to family planning services, the country can transform its demographic trajectory into an opportunity for economic and social advancement.
The upcoming conference, scheduled for December 2–6, 2024, will serve as a platform for actionable dialogue, bringing together stakeholders to share strategies and reinforce commitments. Dr. Oji summed up the conference’s objective succinctly: “This isn’t just about dialogue—it’s about action. The outcomes must drive impactful change across Nigeria.”
If effectively implemented, these efforts could help Nigeria turn its population challenge into a demographic dividend, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come
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