An Appraisal of the 2004 National Policy on Population for Sustainable Development

Abstract

This paper sought to appraise the extent to which the2004 population policy objectives and targets have been achieved ten years after its enunciation. Secondary data obtained from Central Intelligence Agency World Factbook (2013) and United Nations Statistics (2013), UNESCO (2011), UNICEF and other relevant literatures were used to compare the population targets with a view to determine their achievement and prospect of achieving the objectives. The study found that population growth rate reduced from 2.9% in 2004 to 2.5% in 2008 and 1.999% in 2009 but later rose to2.55% in 2012. Apart from the reduction being contestable, population analysts argued that inflation and harsh economic conditions are responsible and not strictly government conscious efforts which resulted in oscillating growth. Target of fertility reduction is far from being achieved as evidenced by the increase in the rate which increased from 5.2 in 2004 to 5.5 in 2013 instead of reducing to 4.0. Infant morbidity and mortality still remains high at 72.97 deaths /1000 live births in 2013 which raises doubt of achieving target of 45 per 1,000 in 2015 as a result of childhood diseases such as malaria, diarrhea, and malnourishment. Maternal morbidity and mortality target of about 75 per 100,000 live births in 2015 is far from being achieved due to inadequate medical equipment and professional skills to handle complicated birth cases, poverty, lack of access to quality health care limited the sustainability of success of 350 per 100,000 as at 2012. Enrolments at primary and junior secondary schools have increased but about 10.4 million children of primary school age not in school while challenges of attrition, more skilled teachers and facilities face the possible realization of universal basic education goal by 2015. Literacy rate stood at 61.3% in 2013 and has no tendency of reaching 100% in 2020 going by the average annual increase of 1.65%. HIV prevalence reduced from 5.8% in 2003 to 3.4% in 2009, a reduction of 22.7% (46.55%) in eight years which translates to mean the target of 50% reduction every 10 years will not be achieved. Thus, none of the targets has been achieved. Based on the findings, the paper recommends that government should vigorously implement the policy strategies in order to achieve the targets and objectives with a view to achieving sustainable development. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n23p2520