Nigeria’s Population Set to Soar to 450 Million by 2050, Experts Warn

Nigeria’s population could hit a staggering 450 million by 2050 if the country fails to reduce its current high fertility rate, experts have warned.

Speaking at a media roundtable in Abuja ahead of the 8th Nigeria Family Planning Conference, the specialists expressed serious concerns about the country’s rapidly growing population and its potential consequences for health and development.

Dr. Ejike Oji, Chairman of the Management Committee for the Association for the Advancement of Family Planning (AAFP) and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the conference, revealed that the current fertility rate in Nigeria remains high, with the country adding approximately four million people to its population every year.

He explained that unless immediate steps are taken to reduce fertility rates to four percent, Nigeria’s population will balloon, leading to significant challenges by mid-century.

“If we do not bring down our fertility rates, by the year 2050, we will be 450 million.

“Every year, we add about four million people to our population. This increase is geometric—it won’t stop at four million. Next year, it could be 4.2 million, and the following year, 4.5 million, until it might reach five or 10 million each year. This could lead to serious challenges for the country,” Dr Oji warned.

Despite some progress, with the fertility rate having reduced slightly from 5.3 percent to 4.8 percent, experts say much more needs to be done to address this issue, especially in light of the country’s rapid economic and demographic changes.

Dr. Martin Migombano, Managing Director of FP2030 for North, West, and Central Africa, reiterated the dire consequences of Nigeria’s growing population, noting that Nigeria is already responsible for 28.5 percent of global maternal mortality.

“There is a lot that still needs to be done, and it requires collaboration from all sectors—religious leaders, government, financial partners, and donors—especially in ensuring that women have access to family planning services,” he stated.

The upcoming family planning conference will focus on advancing the goals of FP2030, an international initiative aimed at improving access to family planning services worldwide.

Experts agree that collaboration and a sustained commitment to family planning are crucial to addressing Nigeria’s growing demographic challenge.

Mrs. Ifesinachi Eze, a consultant at Amref International, highlighted the need for comprehensive responses to family planning challenges in crisis situations, particularly in humanitarian settings where disruptions in services often leave women without access to essential reproductive health care.

“We need to create stronger public-private collaborations and build robust health systems that can withstand the pressures of both normal and crisis settings,” Mrs. Eze emphasized.