Despite global calls for countries to use family planning as a method of population control, prioritizing health services and adequate education for its citizens, contraceptive use is still extremely low in some African countries, including Nigeria.
As an important component of nation building, investing in family planning is one of the smart enterprises for national development given the effects of population dynamics on the pillars of sustainable growth.
Especially as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, development in many underfunded countries like Nigeria has further seen a decline with a series of lockdowns, leading to low uptake of family planning commodities.
Consequently, many reproductive health advocates promote the use of family planning by countries that seek economic growth and overall population development. Indeed, demographic control would allow any developing country to provide essential services to all its citizens, to prioritize health services and adequate education.
As seen in most developed countries of the world, the use of modern contraception has accelerated economic growth by helping women prevent unplanned pregnancies, leading to a rapid decline in fertility in countries with low fertility rates. students.
Through contraception, women increase the intervals between successive pregnancies, which improves child health and survival. The risk of prematurity and low birth weight doubles when conception occurs within six months of the previous birth.
Family planning can reduce the number of deaths among children under five by 13% if births are spaced two years apart. These deaths would also decrease by about 25% if there was a three-year gap between births.
Recently, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) alerted that Nigeria is one of the fastest growing countries in the world, with a population of 205,668,183 as of Monday, June 1, 2020, thus constituting 2.64% of the population. world total and ranking seventh in the world ahead of countries such as Thailand, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom. The population of Nigeria is currently growing at the rate of 3.2% per year and according to US Census Bureau estimates, the population will be around 402 million people over the next 30 years – 2050.
Nigeria is also predicted to become the third most populous country in the world, next to India and China. Signs of overpopulation are already visible on all faces. Cultural factors such as child marriage, high level of fertility leading to increased birth rate, high level of illiteracy and the unwavering cultural belief in high number of children and preference for male children exacerbate the effects of overcrowding.
The disastrous effects of these are the inherent high unemployment rate, inadequate health facilities, housing deficits, high crime rate, social strife, high cost of living, to name but a few. -ones.
The World Health Organization (WHO) in a document titled “Health Benefits of Family Planning” states that “Family planning saves the lives of women and children and improves the quality of life for all. one of the best investments that can be made to help ensure the health and well-being of women, children and communities.Yet it is estimated that approximately 120 million women who do not wish to become pregnant do not use currently not using contraception By providing all women and men of reproductive age with a choice of contraceptive methods and counseling on how to use these methods safely and effectively, programs can have a significant impact on the lives of their clients.
Afe Babalola (SAN) then called for urgent population control legislation in Nigeria. Research shows that fewer children allow couples to save and make more investments per child, resulting in better education and health outcomes as well as quality of life. In addition, women have more time to educate themselves and contribute productively to the economy.
In addition, the rapid fall in birth rates translates into a reduction in the child dependency ratio and an increase in the labor surplus. The emerging labor surplus can propel national economic growth and development if the working-age population is skilled, healthy, and engaged in gainful employment through demographic dividends.
However, it would work well if accompanied by good economic policies and good governance which are essential for attracting savings and foreign direct investment to the country.
In addition, a recent brief from the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) showed that ensuring universal access to contraception despite COVID-19 would have invaluable benefits for improving health outcomes and development. sustainability in Nigeria and its neighboring countries.
Clearly, to have good human capital and national development, Nigeria needs to start focusing on proper education, awareness and regulation regarding effective birth spacing.
Indeed, family planning is a win-win strategy with significant benefits for national growth and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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