Nigeria Added Population Of France Within 14 Years, Says Obasanjo

Olusegun Obasanjo, former president, has called for population control measures in the country.

Speaking at an event in Ogun State over the weekend, Obasanjo raised the alarm that Nigeria’s population will become a liability by 2050, when according to the current population growth, the nation will be world’s third largest population.

The former president stated that the country added the population of France from 2006 when the last population census was conducted in Nigeria, to 2021.

The current population of France as of June 2021 is 65 million, meaning Nigeria added more than the population of the European country within the period.

He noted that said if the country fails to control its population now, it will be difficult to do so in 2050.

Speaking further, Obasanjo said Nigeria will be the largest population on earth by the year 3,000.

“Our population increased from 120 million in 2006 to more than 200 million. Meaning we added the population of France.

“If we continue, by the year 3000, we will be the largest country in the world. Now, what are we going to do to handle the situation? How are we going to handle that population?” he said.

“If we don’t start getting it right now, we will not get it right by 2050.  But population by itself may not be a liability if we do what we have to do. But if we don’t do what we have to do – which we are not doing now – the population will become a liability.

“We should educate ourselves about population management. Some people don’t like family planning and all that, but whatever you do, you must manage your population for the benefit of all that is within your nation.”