Population glut as impediment to food security in Nigeria: The way out

Abstract

Nigeria which used to have food surplus - enough for total domestic consumption and a remarkable excess for export – is now facing food insecurity to  the point of depending more on importation than local production. Apart from the myriad of factors militating against domestic food production, one of  the major extraneous challenges is the rapid population growth in the nation which has defied all strategies applied to strike an equilibrium between  them over the years. The aim of this study was to analyse the factors underlying population explosion in Nigeria with a view to ascertain the strength of  their impact on sustainable food consumption in this age. It also focused on the forces decelerating progress in food production to overcome the  recurring insecurity. The research found that, principally, the massive demographic rise in the country is caused by lack of an effective population policy,  excessive births, reduced death rate and inclination to beliefs. The situation is aggravated by continuous neglect of the agriculture sector. The study  therefore recommended, among others, that stern measures be taken to stop further explosion of the population including influx of illegal immigrants, a procreation enlightenment campaign programme be launched to cover the entire country, and a religious education be carried out by blending the  natural child-bearing right with divine obligation to cater for the children. In addition, during this interval, food production should be improved to cover  the gap.