OVERPOPULATION - Nigeria

Question 1

What is the population of Nigeria?

Answer 1

• 200 million.
• 3% of Africa that holds 13% of its population.

Question 2

Why is there overpopulation in Nigeria?

Answer 2

• Birth rate:
  
  • High infant mortality rate: 72 deaths / 1000 live births.
  • Religious society - 50% Muslim, 40% Christian > children seen as gifts from God.
  • Only 50% of women educated.
  • Seen as source of work in a highly agricultural society.
• Immigration:
  
  • Urbanised - has more jobs and services.
  • Transport links to sea.
  • Most come from Niger.

Question 3

What are the consequences of overpopulation?

Answer 3

• Pollution (water pollution is 80%)
  
  • High levels of litter due to congestion
  • Inadequate disposal technology
  • Leads to more disease and therefore lowers life expectancy further.
• Resources (only 58% have access to clean water)
  
  • Exacerbated due to existing drought
  • Distribution a problem
• Crime rates:
  
  • Only 29% feel safe walking home at night.
• Low life expectancy (52)
  
  • Congestion and litter means that diseases spread easily.
  • High risk of death relating to traffic.
  • Criminal activity high due to homelessness.

Question 4

What are the solutions?

Answer 4

• Public information programme for family planning.
• 2 child policy.
• Modernise agriculture through mecanisation so that fewer workers are needed. This would also increase food supply and therefore lower infant mortality.
• Educate women and add them to labour force.
• Bus transit system to cope with high population - already been introduced in Lagos.