Nigeria's Population Hits 240 Million Amid Growth Concerns

Nigeria's population is currently estimated at 240 million, a significant increase from the last census in 2006, which recorded 140 million. The United Nations Population Fund (UNPF) emphasizes the importance of conducting a national population census every ten years to track demographic changes.

The country has not conducted a census since 2006, leading to reliance on demographic estimates. Former Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, highlighted that the rising population adversely affects social development and quality of life for Nigerians.

He noted that Nigeria's population growth rate is 3.2%, with a fertility rate of 5.3 children per woman, contributing to high rates of unwanted pregnancies. The National Population Commission (NPC) is responsible for population data, but the last official census faced irregularities and controversies.

Projections indicate that Nigeria's population could reach 262 million by 2030, potentially making it the third most populous country by 2050.