The world has a finite amount of resources upon which mankind can survive. The amount of land, especially good agricultural land, is limited. It is therefore logical to ensure a reduction of human pressure upon these resources. If they are depleted, flora and fauna, as well as human beings would perish. The author argues, however, that fertility control and birth limiting are almost sacrilegious. A sensible man would not keep his wife from bearing all of the children God places in her womb. Moreover, one is impudent to suggest that God has failed to provide mankind with enough resources to survive in a world full of people. It is up to man to survive or perish, with hard work rewarded by survival. The paper closes with the belief that we may never know what is the optimum world population size.
Population growth in Nigeria is particularly problematic because population is expected to increase dramatically from 115 million to 280 million in 25 years. At present there are 206 million in the entire West African sub-region. The population density issues within Nigeria and the region are also reasons for concern. About 50% of Nigeria's population is presently under 20 years old, and the likelihood of this proportion continuing for some time is very high. Population growth will mean increased demand for housing, food, health services, education, electricity, and water. The UN has issued warnings that population pressures strain scarce resources, the environment, and people's adjustment. A national population policy was established in order to improve the standard of living of Nigerians and to promote health and welfare among the population. The policy aims to lower population growth through voluntary family planning and through reductions in infant, child, and maternal mortality. In 1989 the Nigerian government in conjunction with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) committed about $100 million in a 5-year program to strengthen family planning: $33 million from Nigeria and $67 million from USAID. The federal Ministry of Health would maintain family health services with integrated primary health care and with promotion of the balance between resources and number of children. Other international efforts have contributed to family planning programs. For example, the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria focused on adult males and youth. Oral contraceptives and injectables have received criticism in Nigeria for having undesirable health consequences despite their popularity worldwide, the absence of significant side effects, and international and national support. Vasectomy is becoming more popular in Oyo state. Family planning has not been popular because of many misconceptions. Both Muslim and Catholic leaders have encouraged responsible parenthood, although Catholic leaders reject contraception.
Nigeria's 3-year effort to slow down population growth seems to be paying off, according to a 1991 demographic survey that shows the total fertility rate has fallen to 6 children per woman. The country's first population policy was inaugurated on February 4, 1988, and based on voluntary fertility regulation. The hope is to reduce the proportion of women who marry before the age of 18 by 80% by the year 2000; and to reduce population growth from 3.4% to 2.5% by 1995 and to 2.0% by 2000. The soaring population growth has hampered improvements in the standard of living. Nigeria will reach a population of 165 million by 2000 and 280 million by 2015 at the present rate of growth. The population policy would also impact maternal and infant morbidity and mortality because pregnancies under 18 and over 35, less than 2 years apart, and after the 4th birth account for the highest risks. The 1990 demographic survey indicates that only 3.8% of every 1 million Nigerians were using modern contraceptives, while over 50% of women 15-49 years old wanted to delay or stop childbearing. Critics of the policy charged that it would encourage men to marry several women, and called for male obligations as well. Africa has 420 million people with an average GNP of $400 and the world's highest population growth rate of 3.3%. The Nigerian government and religious leaders need to cooperate to disseminate information and educate the public about the dangers of uncontrolled population growth. Some suggest that the policy will be popularly accepted if population is de-emphasized as a basis for economic planning and allocation of resources. Moreover, family planning is becoming increasingly accepted.
Cultural norms limit the ability of Nigerian women to exercise control over their reproductive lives. Having a large number of children in rapid succession is still regarded as an act of obedience to God and husband. The Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria has opened clinics to educate women about the risks to both mother and child inherent in having more than four births. Family planning workers are aware, however, that little change will occur in the absence of improvements in women's status and involvement by men in educational programs. Also needed is education to reduce the preference for sons. Encouraging is a trend toward contraceptive use among professional women in Nigeria. In the past decade, contraceptive prevalence has increased from 5% to 10%.
Augustus Aikhomu, Nigeria's vice-president and a retired admiral, stated in 1991 that accurate population figures were necessary for social and economic planning and policy. Celestine Mezue, assistant director of Bendel state's population commission, stated that non-availability of reliable population statistics was responsible for the failures in national development planning. Two sectors (rural and transportation) have been greatly affected by the lack of data. Educational institutions have been particularly affected by overcrowding or rejection of students due to lack of space and facilities. Over 1 million children must compete for 1000 spaces in primary schools. Complaints at the local level have been directed to insufficient funding for teacher's salaries. About 255,000 students applied for university admission, and only 12% were admitted during 1989-90. Scholarships declined from 1859 awards in 1976 to none in 1984. Post-graduate scholarships declined from 2000 in 1976 to none in 1984. Planning for future health services has also been restricted by lack of accurate statistics. There was a gap between availability of low-income housing and the need for the burgeoning population. Population growth has been estimated at 2.0-3.3%; housing will need to be increased by 2.2-3.5 million more units by 2015. Population growth and congestion in cities has resulted in environmental pollution. The population policy in 1989 recommended 4.0 children per woman. In 1990 a demographic and health survey found fertility to be 6.0 children per woman. Improved data collection and the government support for family planning are needed to reduce population growth in Nigeria.
