Overpopulation in Nigeria is having an extremely harmful effect on the environment and is contributing to less food production, increased pollution and frequent outbreaks of diseases.
So said Usman Aliyu, a member of the Nigerian Mining And Geosciences Society.
“The environment is vital to all life but climate change – often exacerbated by the actions of humans – is a real and devastating issue. Too many humans have been harming the environment by the way they live – cutting down trees, polluting not only the air but also rivers and waterways, blocking drains and destroying scarce natural resources.”
As of April 27 this year, the population of Nigeria was 220,510,027. Aliya said that if something was not done to curb the rapid growth rate of the population, the county’s environment would become seriously depleted.
Overpopulation in the Lake Chad region was an example of how people were destroying the environment.
After being ranked the world’s sixth-largest inland water body with an open water area of 25,000 km2 in the 1960s, it had shrunk dramatically at the beginning of the 1970s and reduced to less than 2,000 km2 during the 1980s, decreasing by more than 90% of its area.
The socioeconomic activities of humans were an important component of climate change and the destruction of the environment, Aliyu said.
It led to more competition over fewer resources. More people would inevitably create pressures leading to more deforestation, decreased biodiversity and spikes in pollution and emissions, which would exacerbate climate change.
Overpopulation was a major cause of most of the world’s problems. Whether it was a question of food shortage, lack of drinking water or energy shortages, every country in the world was affected by it – or would be.
Aliyu said overpopulation caused less food production, pollution of all kinds and more outbreaks of disease. Another problem was that because of there being so many people there was a lack of employment – particularly in the Lake Chad region which had already been so devastated but also in other parts of the country – and this resulted in increased crime. The insurgency had exacerbated this.
“Young people, especially, can be easily lured by bandits and other criminals, including Boko Haram [Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’way Wa’l-Jihād (JAS)] and other extremist groups.”
Aliyu said competition over depleting resources was a major problem.
“Climate change is exacerbated by the anthropogenic activities of humans, for example, pollution, habitat encroachment, urbanisation and even some trade practices.”
He said the influx of internally displaced persons [IDPs] in and around Borno State was adding to the overpopulation; sewerage systems and waterways often became blocked and this caused flooding, which in turn spread water-borne diseases, such as cholera, and mosquitos also bred in dirty puddles and stagnant pools, causing more cases of malaria.
“If the birthrate is not controlled then it is certain the issues will persist leading to a catastrophic situation of the environment. I advise authorities to investigate the issue more thoroughly, create awareness, implement and ensure the rate of birth is controlled.”
Baba Ali, who is 76 years old, said: “The environment has changed much since I was a youngster. There used to be far more trees and forests. The government even used to plant trees on the pavements. Now there are fewer trees, the heat has become unbearable, the rainfall pattern has changed and we are not having as much rain as we used to.
“Climate change is a real issue and people need to change their ways before it is too late – and that includes controlling overpopulation.”
Zanna Gubio said: “I am not an expert but I do know now that there are too many people, no one seems to be doing anything to care for the environment and the weather has become extremely harsh.”
AISHA SD JAMAL
