On the issue of family planning in Nigeria

Abstract

Despite the fourth decade of implementation of the Nigerian government family planning program, the total fertility rate remains one of the highest in the world (5.2), and according to UN experts, by the end of the 21st century Nigeria will become the third most populous country after India and China. Explosive growth leads to complications of economic development, undermines food security and the resource base of social policy, can give rise to a series of acute environmental crises, cyclical outbreaks of epidemiological diseases, destructive internal conflicts, socio-political instability, including an increase in crime, and wars with neighboring countries. Traditionalist norms of behavior - the desire of Nigerians to have a large family, in other words, a larger number of free labor in agricultural production, as well as religious attitudes and many other preferences hinder the implementation of state demographic policy programs. In search of a way out, the government turns to scientists, pointing out the need to prioritize reducing child and maternal mortality. They emphasize that increasing financial support for family planning programs, involving religious leaders of all faiths in familiarizing themselves with government demographic policies, and growing the network of health centers for counseling and information on family planning are all as important as the availability and accessibility of contraception. The family planning program is the main, and in many countries the only, component of demographic policy that can significantly reduce maternal and child mortality, contribute to a reduction in the birth rate and progressive socio-economic development.