Nigeria’s population is rising at a significant rate, between 1991 and 2006 it nearly doubled from 88 million to 140 million. If the projections are accurate and the country has the third highest population by 2050, the results are most likely to be disastrous. With this incredible rise in population, their poverty level also increases. India, currently second only slightly to China in regards to highest population, has held the title of country with highest rate of poverty, until recently. Nigeria is seventh, and has about seven times less amount of people than India, which raises many concerns considering the level to which their poverty level has already reached. The country ‘has remained a largely mono-product economy, dependent on oil and gas, leaving most of the youthful population unemployed, underemployed or dependent’ which means that their skyrocketing youthful population will only continue to have more and more issues as their limited economy is not able to support the large number. An estimated 42.4% of the Nigerian population is currently living below the poverty line, $2.00 a day. This absurd statistic is unimaginable for many people and countries today, however is the reality for over 82 million Nigerians (just under 7 million less than the entire population just 27 years ago). Not only does this uncontrolled increase lead to higher rates of unemployment and poverty, but also will have devastating environmental effects, a rise in suicides and attempts of illegal emigration, faster spread of diseases, political instability, and conflicts between both desperate individuals and groups. It would be very likely for large and highly destructive conflicts to begin erupting more regularly and to a further extent across the country, possibly even spilling over into neighboring countries. While there aren’t many solutions to slowing the population rise, some have suggested a policy such as China’s ‘One Child’ law, although the strictness of such a regulation would be near impossible to enforce throughout Nigeria. This may not be the right path to helping Nigeria, but there are certain economic reforms and steps that China took to fight their previously high levels of poverty and corruption that may hold the key to securing a future for Nigeria and its ever growing population.
