[pull_quote_center]“This was written considering the current economic outlook in Nigeria, where 62 percent of the population live below $1.25 a day and a misery index is 52.15 percent.”[/pull_quote_center]
According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), the population of Nigeria is expected to be in the region of 397 million by 2050. This figure is staggering and simultaneously not surprising, but there is a consensus that we are heading into an uncertain future.
Considering the current crop of inept leaders, mode of governance and the laughable state of infrastructure, the best days are certainly not ahead, not even for the child that will be 33 years old by 2050.
From an economic perspective, the geometric rise in population is supposed to be a merit. This can only be actualized when the strong workforce is properly harmonised by frugal cabinet members, who are often saddled with the responsibility of coordinating the economic climate; not the current cohorts who are squandering the commonwealth of the nation and continue to submerged the country into murky waters. By the way, I think the current Minister for Finance is a big joke.
With 2050 just three more administrations away (assuming Buhari’s health keeps him alive to be reelected to 2023, and succeeding leaders serve two tenures), the “prevailing” discipline within the political sphere which is very contagious, allows us to make obvious conclusions which are not good for the ordinary man. More so, with men of perceived integrity (excluding President Buhari) shying away from politics, implies Déjà vu to Nigerians who are at the bottom chain. At this point, I think drastic measures have to be put in place to counter the catastrophic consequences that lie ahead.
A one-child policy similar to that introduced by China in 1979, should be put in place. It is expected that the thought of this itself, is enough to draw criticism from the populace, talk less of implementation. However, with the intense pressure on the resources of the nation currently resonating in the form of the weak Naira (though one may argue that the falling naira is a matter of time) and non-diversification of the economy, I believe we should begin to prepare for damage limitation.
Obviously bringing a “childbirth” policy to a country like Nigeria will be largely difficult considering our cultural/ethnic beliefs, were many see children as trophies and necessary evils even in bad times. I acknowledge that China had problems of implementation mostly in rural areas but the scheme was largely successful and saved the country from the severe consequences. In the same line, implementation will be an even greater problem in Nigeria; a country that cannot track and prosecute Fulani Herdsmen. What a shame!
With the population largely speculated as 160 million or 172 million and recently 180 million, the rise of crime and influx of criminals into the country has taken its toll on the relative peace experienced by few. Beware, the influx of undocumented people (I am beginning to sound like Donald Trump) as stated above does not justify the statement by the lie expert in the form of the “Minister of False Information” in Nigeria Lai Mohammed – “herdsmen move from everywhere, from Mauritius”.
According to INTERPOL, Nigeria can only boast of 350,000 police officers, many of which are often placed to politicians. This figure is hugely inadequate and literally equates to about 515 citizens depending on one police officer and in the same vein, falls short of the UN recommendation of 222 police officers per 100,000 persons. At this point, it is not necessary to do an estimate for a population of 397 million that may rely on a largely corrupt and infra dot ado Police force.
The political elites should be aware that power is transient, and with the rise of populism in Europe and America, people may adopt similar ideologies to mobilise unpleasant attacks against the untouchables, not sparing their families.
Benedict Egbon is a postgraduate student in the UK. He can be reached by email HERE.
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
