Nigeria?s population pyramid shows a high dependency ratio of 80 per cent, indicating a surge of young persons dependent on only 20 per cent of the population for support.
This trend is an indicator of an impending demographic crisis, which can only be reversed if the Nigerian government prioritises systematic population control.
These are the summations of Dr Ejike Orji, chairman of the Management Committee, Association of the Advancement of Family Planning, at the 8th Nigeria Family Planning pre-conference media parley.
Orji warned that Nigeria needs to reverse the population bulge where 75 per cent of its citizens are under 35 years old while 45 per cent are under 15 years old, all mostly uneducated, unemployed, hungry and angry.
He noted that this alarming demographic trend has aggravated insecurity, increased immigration pressures and largely fuelled social unrest.
?It?s not a doubt that Nigeria is in a demographic crisis; any country with a bulge of young, unplanned and unproductive persons is bound to face economic crises.
?This crisis demands immediate attention. The conversation around family planning is crucial and we need to support governments in doing the right thing.?
?Population growth affects economic growth; that is why we are seeing the Japa syndrome in the country. All our trained young doctors and ICT experts are leaving the country.
?Neonatal mortality is another indicator of a population anomaly, an indicator of lack of adequate healthcare during childbirth,? he said.
Topic: Nigeria?s population is highly dependent- Report (Read 11536 times)
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