₦airaland Forum

Think of it.

A litre of fuel sold for N178 for so long because of a double-edged subsidy design that :
1) subsidizes the currency being used to import petrol to around 35%-40% of the actual value.
2) subsidizes the actual cost of the petrol to 45% of its landing cost which is already skewed by number 1 above.
If not for the above two, it could have sold for as high as it was selling now since three decades ago.

That meant a lot of people could afford to
1) have many more children than they would have had.
2) emigrate out of Nigeria less
3) immigrate from neighbouring Hausa/Fulani regions in other countries to swell our numbers.
4) be on govt payroll without adding value yet surviving on the pittance being given them.

Going be the above, i have to conclude that our numbers would have been much lesser if not for subsidies. 55-65 million in my opinion. Do you guys agree?

https://cdn.businessday.ng/2022/09/Campaign.jpg

Nlfpmod

yes because the cost of taking care of many children is very high especially the hausa tribe

55 million?
That's about 170 million people less than we actually are. So most Nigerians today exist as a result of subsidy (subsidy pikin ).
In other words, an effective means of population control is fuel subsidy removal.
.. oga, this your thesis deserves a PhD!

I disagree. Nigerians have always been poor and poor countries (with or without subsidy) are known to have the highest birthrates. While hardship might lead to a drastic decline in birth rates, it will also and ultimately result in a higher death rate. More people may no longer afford healthcare, and everyone, including healthcare providers, will begin rationing resources. This means that access to quality care will be compromised, and even feeding the "few" who remain could become a significant challenge. Literacy and quality education are the only sustainable solutions.

Acidosis:
I disagree. Nigerians have always been poor and poor countries (with or without subsidy) are known to have the highest birthrates. While hardship might lead to a drastic decline in birth rates, it will also and ultimately result in a higher death rate. More people may no longer afford healthcare, and everyone, including healthcare providers, will begin rationing resources. This means that access to quality care will be compromised, and even feeding the "few" who remain could become a significant challenge. Literacy and quality education are the only sustainable solutions.

it is a relative thing. What about imigrants posing as Nigerians?
Dont forget food subsidy of over N1 Trillion annually.
When you consider the per capita GDP, it becomes even clearer. Though your points hold, the impact in my opinion, doesn't outweigh the other factors.

bivic:
yes because the cost of taking care of many children is very high especially the hausa tribe

Hausa that will go out at age 5 as alumajiri or another one?

Education subsidy too.

Sounds like a reach to me. I think there are other major factors more worthy of note like family planning resources, and socioeconomic conditions for instance.