With the uncontrolled rising population of the country, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has called on the Nigerian government to implement urgent measures to address the population surge to avert a looming economic crisis.
CISLAC proposed a series of critical measures, including promoting family planning, improving education, and fostering sustainable economic opportunities to address the population surge.
The recommendations were made after a capacity-building workshop held under the “Population Conversation in Nigeria” initiative, with support from Population Matters UK.
The workshop, which focused on population planning for sustainable development, brought together stakeholders from media, civil society, and public institutions. It aimed to highlight the urgency of addressing Nigeria’s surging population, currently estimated at over 223 million, and projected to exceed 400 million by 2050.
Following the rich deliberations at the workshop, CISLAC developed a framework of recommendations to tackle the population challenge head-on.
Jimoh Abubakar, Program Officer at CISLAC, stated that sensitization is fundamental and providing comprehensive sexual and family planning education can empower individuals to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.
He also emphasized the need for improved access to contraceptives and reproductive healthcare services. “It’s not enough to talk about family planning. We must ensure that services and contraceptives are available and accessible to all Nigerians, regardless of their location or income level,” Abubakar said.
A strong recommendation that emerged was the need to further foster open discussions around family planning. CISLAC is urging communities, religious groups, and families to normalize conversations about reproductive goals and preferences.
“To change attitudes, we need to break the silence,” one of the articipants observed. “When people can speak freely about their reproductive choices, we’re better positioned to support them.”
Another crucial suggestion was the provision of financial resources to support family planning. CISLAC recommends that the Nigerian government allocate specific funding for reproductive health in the national budget. “This is not just a health issue; it’s a development issue,” Abubakar said. “Financial support can ensure that people are not left behind.”
Additionally, the integration of family planning services into rural areas was seen as a practical way to reach the uninformed population.
During the workshop, a survey presented by CISLAC showed that 723 out of 750 respondents were aware of population issues, reflecting a high level of public consciousness. However, the responses also highlighted gaps in access, resources, and policy frameworks.
“Despite having one of the largest populations in the world, Nigeria struggles to turn its demographic size into an economic advantage,” Abubakar pointed out. He called on the government to implement sustainable family planning policies.
He also reiterated the importance of accurate data collection, especially through a national census. “We cannot plan effectively without knowing who we are planning for, Socio-cultural and religious resistance must be addressed to ensure that a reliable census can take place.”
CISLAC proposed legislation that would guide family planning using income, savings, and employment status as benchmarks.
“If we want sustainable development, we must ensure people have only the number of children they can afford to raise properly,” Abubakar said.
Stakeholders at the workshop urged the government to mainstream family planning in national development strategies and support ongoing public awareness efforts.
“With our population projected to hit 400 million by 2050, we cannot afford to delay,” Abubakar warned. “These recommendations are not just timely- they are necessary for Nigeria’s survival and prosperity.”