Obasanjo warns Nigeria could face dire crisis without urgent action

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has warned that Nigeria could face unprecedented social and economic crises if urgent measures are not taken to prepare for rapid population growth.

Obasanjo noted that by 2050, Nigeria’s population is projected to reach 400 million people, stressing that this growth will require massive investments in food security, job creation, and social stability.

“If we fail to plan, today’s Boko Haram will look tame. We must act now,” he said, drawing attention to the potential consequences of inaction.

Nigeria is already grappling with major challenges, including rising food insecurity, high youth unemployment, climate-related stress, and increasing displacement of people across different regions. Experts warn that these problems could escalate if not addressed systematically.

The former president emphasized the need for urgent and scalable reforms in agriculture, education, governance, and infrastructure, sectors he described as critical to sustaining a population boom.

Development analysts say his warning underscores the importance of long-term planning, especially as global organizations have also expressed concern over Nigeria’s preparedness to handle its demographic surge.

According to Obasanjo, sustainable agricultural development will ensure food security, while investments in education and skills training will prepare Nigeria’s massive youth population for the future of work. Strengthened governance and transparent leadership, he added, are essential to attract investment and manage resources effectively.

International development organizations, including the United Nations, have long expressed concerns about Nigeria’s preparedness for its demographic boom. The country is expected to become the third most populous nation in the world by 2050, behind only India and China.

Without proactive planning, experts fear that Nigeria could face escalating instability, as millions of young people may remain excluded from opportunities.

Obasanjo’s remarks serve as a reminder that the window for action is narrowing. With less than three decades until the population milestone is reached, decisions made today on policy, investment, and governance will determine whether Nigeria reaps a demographic dividend or suffers a demographic disaster.

“This is more than rhetoric. It is a call to action,” Obasanjo stressed, urging policymakers, private sector leaders, and civil society to collaborate in building a resilient future for the nation.