Population Policy and National Development in the 21st Century: The Nigerian Perspective

Abstract

Following the concern by multi-lateral organizations such as the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) about the problems of high population growth and food supply especially in the developing countries, population policy has become an integral part of their overall development policies as we enter the 21st century. This paper examines Nigeria’s population policy and Programmes and the implications of their practical application to achieve national development in the 21st century, considering the events in the country since 1999. The paper argues that looking at the population policies of China, India and Nigeria, and considering the trend of events in the country since the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government in 1999, the Nigerian population policy can be said to be neither antinatalistic nor pro-natalistic but genocidal and anti-Niger Deltans, as its implementation is guided by political selfish interests. It concludes that the Nigerian national population policy as is currently implemented can therefore not enhance the attainment or achievement of national development in the 21st century. It suggests thuggery-free elections as the way forward.

LWATI: A Journal of Contemporary Research, 8(4), 241-254, 2011