The Nigerian government has set the target for the population growth rate at 2 per cent by the year 2010.  The current growth rate is 2.9 per cent. The new target has been set in an attempt to control population explosion. The current population policy has been in place since 1988 and has ultimately aimed to achieve sustainable development within Nigeria. 

The revised national population policy states "that the complex interrelationship between population resources, the environment and the social and economic development of the country need to be recognised and taken into account in our national vision."

One of the ambitious targets set to ensure socio-economic development and enhance the quality of life for Nigerians is the reduction in the total fertility rate of at least 0.6 children over each five-year interval. According to the 1999 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, the current total fertility rate per woman is 5.2 births.

The policy also highlights the imbalance between the young and the elderly. The young currently account for almost half the population of Nigeria's total 118 million.  The policy stresses the need for development resources "to go to meet the education, health, housing, food and protection" requirements of the young.
 
 

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