Not just Nigeria but world population is something to be worried about because the figure keeps going higher despite so many people knowing the consequences of overpopulation. It might not look like a serious issue to some people since we can still manage the resources and infrastructures available, but it is, because sooner or later, those resources and infrastructure will be nothing compared to what humans will struggle to have.
The impact of overpopulation on the ecosystem is not something that should continue at the rate it's going. We all ought to know by now that the birth of every new child means the world automatically becomes more competitive, and it won't be long before here turns into a jungle where only the fittest survive. Nature will bear many consequences due to the need for more houses, roads, and mineral resources, which would eventually still backfire on humans too.
I would have loved to tackle the issue of overpopulation the hard way, but since the HL prompt asked if giving incentives to people who do not have or give birth to more than a certain number of children would be a good solution to putting childbearing under control, I have to change course.
Why Incentives for Fewer Children Won’t Work in Nigeria.
Of course, giving out incentives to parents who restrict themselves to having few kids would work pretty well, especially with the situation of things across the globe, especially in third world countries.
People need money, so keeping to rules just to earn some incentives wouldn't be that difficult, but how does a country like Nigeria adopt such a system to control childbearing?
There are different reasons why giving incentives in Nigeria wouldn't work, and the biggest of them is the government not having proper records of kids born daily in Nigeria. Aside from going to registered government or private hospitals, there are many places beyond the government’s reach where Nigerians give birth, meaning we can't track people's childbearing records in the country.
Anyone can claim not to have more than the required kids just to get the incentive. It's as simple as putting your kids at your parents’ house just in case the government keep tabs on you. I know very well that this is the least of things people can do just to get the incentive, so until the government is in control of childbearing, I don't see this system working.
Another typical reason why this won't work is because of the corruption in the country. I can confidently say that many of these funds disbursed for incentives wouldn't even get to those who should get the money.
Have we all forgotten how people in the government hoarded palliatives, which led to a crisis back then?
People were hungry due to the lockdown while palliatives were being hoarded and sold to other countries. If people can do that at such a terrible time when the whole country was in trouble, what do you think they would do to incentives? They will only share the money among themselves without anyone asking questions.
Cultural and Social Barriers to Population Control.
There was a family I met during those years when I was living in a "face me I slap you" apartment. The husband and wife have four kids living in a room, and they aren't bothered. They've made jokes about having more kids, and when I asked why, the woman said in the part of Nigeria where she came from, they should give birth a lot. She even claimed to have lots of babies in her, and I just couldn't believe my ears.
According to a trusted source, she is currently carrying another baby. It's funny how the people who don't have anything are the ones who love to have so many babies. They struggle to provide for these children but still won't let go of the chances of having more babies.
I have seen different awareness campaigns about the consequences of overpopulation. Government, NGOs, and even individuals have taken it upon themselves not just to educate but to provide people with pregnancy prevention materials, but all is to no avail. It feels like some people are just willing to see the world crumble, and they would do anything to make that happen.
A Call for Stricter Measures.
These few reasons are enough to tell if giving incentives would work in helping Nigeria control its population. The answer remains no, and instead of giving incentives, the government should come up with some strict rules that would invoke fear.
The nation’s wealth should be used for development, not otherwise, even though we know it's been squandered. Controlling the nation’s population is for our good, and it's important that we start doing the needful as individuals. Schools should teach students the consequences, while our heads at places of worship should also teach the consequences of overpopulation instead of praying against the enemy of the country, because half of the people saying these prayers are also enemies for having excessive children.
If I have my way into power someday, these are the kind of people that will face judges in court often, because you have to explain why you are so keen on putting the rest of the world in trouble.
All Images Are Mine.