Nigeria’s Unchecked Population Growth

A nation’s wealth are its people; but only if they are productively harnessed and provided with the sufficient tools and necessities of life.

Written by Barakat Akinsiku

Nov 22, 2019

LOUIS KREUSEL

It is often said that a nation’s true wealth lies in its people. This is because the innovations and processes that generate wealth and spur a country’s development can be championed only by its workforce and human capital. This alone places demography as one of the strongest determinants in the economic development and growth of a nation.

In its World Population Prospects report, the United Nations estimates the world population to have reached 7.7 billion, and projects that by 2050 the world will grow by 2 billion additional people. The UN expects the bulk of additional world population growth to come from sub-Saharan Africa. Presently, sub-Saharan Africa has witnessed the highest increase in population growth and is expected to surpass Central and South East Asia in size to become the most populous of the geographic regions around the world.

Undoubtedly, Nigeria will be responsible for the bulk of the population growth in the Sub-Saharan African region. Currently the most populous country in Africa and the seventh most populous in the world, Nigeria is projected to double its current size by growing from 201 million to 401 million by 2050. Nigeria is also expected to overtake the United States as the third most populous country in the world within the same time frame.

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About the Author

Barakat Akinsiku

is a writer, author, and literary critic based in Lagos. Her writing has appeared in the Fair Observer Journal, the Truth and various other publications.

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Nigeria’s Unchecked Population Growth