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VOL. 8, ISSUE 3 (2026)
The dynamics of population growth and government policy response in Nigeria in the fourth republic
Authors
Adamu Muhammad
Abstract
Nigeria as the most populous country in Africa
witnessed a rapid population growth in the Fourth Republic (1999-present), a
phenomenon which has had a profound impact on its socioeconomic development.
This paper investigates the dynamics of population growth and Nigerian
government responses to this phenomenon, outlining the opportunities and
challenges of managing this demographic trend. The research employs a
mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative data from focus groups and
interviews with quantitative data from government publications and national
polls. The results indicate that the rapid population growth in Nigeria with
high fertility, low death rates and rapid urbanisation have put an enormous
pressure on public services, infrastructure and natural resources. The National
Population Policy (NPP) and family planning programmes have been introduced but
their efficacy has been hampered by implementation flaws, cultural opposition
and insufficient finance. “Major problems include high unemployment, poverty,
environmental degradation and bad governance. The study highlights the critical
need for comprehensive strategies that integrate population control with
broader development goals including investments in health care, education and
employment. The experience of other developing countries shows that to be able
to reach population management targets, government commitment, community
participation and sustained investments are important. The findings will be of
great importance to Nigeria’s sustainable development goal by highlighting the
need for better governance, more effective policy implementation and greater
collaboration between government, civil society and international
organisations. This work contributes to the ongoing discourse on sustainable
development and population control in Nigeria and other emerging economies
faced with similar challenges.
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Pages:50-56
How to cite this article:
Adamu Muhammad "The dynamics of population growth and government policy response in Nigeria in the fourth republic". International Journal of Sociology and Political Science, Vol 8, Issue 3, 2026, Pages 50-56
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