A dilemma in national population policy: evidence from Nigeria

The population policies followed by the several governments of Nigeria since 1970 are discussed vis-a-vis the national development plans. The respective governments have not shown the political will to formulate policies that could be enforced to reduce fertility with the result that the population problem has become acute in the country. Even the little economic progress made has not resulted in the acceptance of contraception to a level that can produce an effective decline in fertility. Suggestions, taken into account the peculiar cultural problems of Nigeria, are made to have a successful conception control program for Nigeria.