Nigerian population growing explosion, dwindling economic growth and A Call to leaders
By Richard Inoyo
According to a new report by the United Nations, Nigeria’s population is estimated to rise to 223.8 million by mid-2023 from 216 million in 2022. To be candid and specific, we are already in June_ being mid 2023.
Based on a different report, the current population of Nigeria as we speak is 223,804,632 (223.8Million), a 2.41% increase from 2022. Fact is, as at 2022, Nigerian population was 218,541,212, a 2.41% increase from 2021.
So_ technically and statistically, our population grows annually by 2.41%.
Sadly, the Nigerian economy is set to grow by 2.8 per cent in 2023, down from 3.3 per cent in 2022, the World Bank has said. That is just forecast, we don’t know if it will grow by that 2.8%, but what we know is that our population is exploding.
If you look at the economic growth forecast of Nigeria being 2.8% compared to the population growth rate of Nigeria being 2.41%_ you will know that our economic growth rate can not sustain the current 5million Nigerians born into the country over the last 6months.
While Nigerian politicians refused to invest in building better economy and decided to keep looting Nigerian funds and resources via illegal and unethical accumulation amidst rising poverty_ our population is exploding_ a dangerous recipe for social chaos, urban catastrophe, and an emerging threat to biometric surveillance and national security.
It is imperative, that Nigerians come together and insist that their leaders reduce the huge allowances and illegal benefits they allocate to themselves, and asked to invest the money in social infrastructure and critical systems to help support the rising population. Time is of the essence and it is running. End illegal and unethical accumulation today, Nigerian elites.
Richard Inoyo, Country Director, Citizens’ Solution Network, wrote this piece.
