Nigeria is currently Africa’s most populous country and ranked 7th most populous in the world with an estimated population of 200 million people. The question that many are asking is: what will the country’s population be like in the future?

The United Nations actively researches and has publications on this and our check of its list of countries by future population (medium fertility variant) indicates a rather startling trend.

Here are the top 10 countries expected to have the highest population in the world by 2100:


This estimate shows Nigeria is expected to rank as the 3rd most populous country in 2100 with an estimated population of 752 million. The country is projected to reach No.3 ranking in terms of global population in a few decades. The UN explains it thus:

“Among the ten largest countries worldwide, Nigeria is growing the most rapidly. Consequently, the population of Nigeria, currently the world’s 7th largest, is projected to surpass that of the United States and become the third largest country in the world shortly before 2050.”

This calls for proper planning by the Nigerian government as there seems to be a correlation between expanding population and the rate of poverty. This in addition to climate change is exacerbating insecurity in Nigeria with farmers and herdsmen clashing over diminishing fertile land while a disillusioned and increasingly poor youthful population is getting drawn to terrorism as seen with the emergence of Boko Haram, militancy and other forms of violent and criminal activity across the country.

Nigeria’s population if properly managed should be a blessing but so far it has been more of a burden because of poor leadership.

If we could encourage the trade of local goods, then, it would be an advantage.