Addressing Nigeria's population management strategy

Nigeria, one of the most populous nations, is faced with the daunting challenge of managing its high population growth rate. The United Nations estimates that Nigeria's population is projected to soar to over 290 million people by 2050. Andrew Nevin, Chief Economist at Price Waterhouse Coopers Nigeria, emphasized the necessity of aligning an effective population management strategy with the country's Economic Recovery and Growth Plan to ensure the maximum benefits of the broad economic initiatives. Nevin highlighted the importance of understanding the scale of the issue, citing the country's total fertility rate of 5.1, which surpasses that of nations like Bangladesh, indicating a need for urgent intervention to stabilize the population growth rate. While family planning and education on contraception have been proposed as key tools to address the challenge, the disconnect between awareness and implementation persists, leading to alarming social and economic indicators such as high infant mortality rates and a significant number of out-of-school children. Nevin underscored the urgency of taking concerted actions to avert potential demographic crises and propel sustainable economic progress. The government's commitment to prioritizing population management and sustaining the agenda is crucial to driving positive change and unlocking Nigeria's development potential. As Nevin emphasized, the time to act is now to avert future challenges and secure a prosperous future for Nigeria's populace.