Nigeria’s population is projected to hit 450 million by 2050 unless urgent action is taken to address its high fertility rates, experts have warned. The warning was issued during a media roundtable held ahead of the eighth Nigeria Family Planning Conference in Abuja, organized by the Association for the Advancement of Family Planning in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and other stakeholders.
Dr. Ejike Oji, Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee for the conference, explained that Nigeria’s current fertility rate needs to be reduced to 4% to avoid future challenges. He emphasized that the country’s population growth is geometric, with an additional 4 million people added each year, and could eventually escalate further.
Oji also pointed to the examples of India and China, which reduced their fertility rates to invest in their young populations, turning their economies around. However, Nigeria risks missing this opportunity if its fertility rate remains high.
The Managing Director of FP2030 North, West, and Central Africa Hub, Dr. Martin Migombano, also echoed concerns about maternal mortality, as Nigeria accounts for 28.5% of global maternal deaths. He highlighted the need for better access to family planning, especially in rural areas.
The conference aims to renew commitments to family planning and assess progress toward achieving FP2030 goals, with experts stressing the importance of collaboration between government, religious leaders, and donors to improve family planning access and services.
