FEDERAL UNIVERSITY LOKOJA

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY
A SEMINAR PAPER TITLED: A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF THE IMPACT OF
POPULATION GROWTH ON HEALTHCARE ACCESS IN NIGERIA.
BY:
SOS20SOC061 FRANCIS ACHELE FAITH
SOS20SOC062 GABRIEL AJITUEWUN
SOS20SOC063 GARUBA GODWIN OMOJOLA
SOS20SOC064 GIMBA OBED NANSEL
SOS20SOC065 GUTU MONDAY TAYO
SOS20SOC066 IBRAHIM SHAMSIYYAT
SOS20SOC067 IBRAHIM YUNUSA
SOS20SOC068 IDAKWO STELLA EMAOJO
SOS20SOC069 IDOKO PATIENCE OJONE
SOS20SOC070 IHUEFO VICTORY CHIDIMMA
SOS20SOC071 IKOLO ESEOGHENE
SOS20SOC072 ISAH RUTH CHUBIYO-OJO
SOS20SOC073 ISOLA OLABODE TEMITOPE
SOS20SOC074 ISONG GODWIN NSIUDOM
SOS20SOC075 JAMES MARGARET EKE
SOS20SOC076 JIMOH ABDULKARIM ADEIZA
SOS20SOC077 JOEL TOPE SUNDAY
SOS20SOC078 JOHN OLUWARANTIMI LYDIA
SOS20SOC079 JOHN REUBEN ONOTU
SOS20SOC080 JOSHUA GLADYS
SOS22SOC102 SALOME ADAMU
COURSE TITLE: DEMOGRAPHY
COURSE CODE: SOC403
LECTURERS-IN-CHARGE: DR. VITALIS UKOJI
25TH FEBRUARY, 2025.
ABSTRACT

In a growing population of Sub-Sahara countries, inadequacy in access to health facilities has

infused a serious healthcare delivery challenge. This narrative review explores the current
impact of population growth on healthcare access in Nigeria. We examined the relationship
between population growth and healthcare access, impact of population growth on healthcare
infrastructure, and the effects of population growth on healthcare financing in Nigeria. This
review presents current evidence on the impact of population growth on healthcare access in
Nigeria and research gaps while recommending future directions to mitigate the challenge.
The study highlights a significant rise in Nigeria’s population, causing high mortality and
morbidity rates, overburdened healthcare infrastructure, limited access to healthcare services
and increased disease burden, putting the Nigeria’s healthcare system in a difficult state.
Recommendations include strengthening primary healthcare services, introducing digital
health solutions, improved family planning programmes, recruiting more healthcare workers
and improved revenue generation for healthcare.

KEYWORDS: Population growth, healthcare access, healthcare infrastructure, healthcare

financing, Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Population which is the total number of inhabitants within a given geographical area at a
given time is a dynamic phenomenon, that has the potential to increase or decrease overtime.
Birth rate, death rate and migration are among the factors responsible for this dynamism.
However, the population of the world has been on steady increase. This growth in human
population in the last fifty years has been staggering. Worldometer (2025) indicated that the
global population has grown from 1 billion in 1800 to 8.2 billion in 2025. Nigeria on the
other hand as a developing nation has witnessed a rapid but tremendous increase in her
population over the years. For example, according to the 2006 population census, Nigeria had
a total population of 140.4 million people (NPC, 2006). This figure according to the
Worldometer (2025) has increase to over 235.7 million (235,769,000) within a period of 19
years. This is equivalent to 2.89% of the total world population, ranking 6th in the list of
counties (and dependencies) by population (United Nations DESAPD, 2024). This alarming
increase of world population, according to Animashaun (2002), causes increased demand for
food, shelter, clothing and other life-supporting needs, which are derived directly or indirectly
from the natural environment. The astronomical growth in human population therefore has a
number of environmental, social, economic, political and physical consequences.

Furthermore, as the population of the world increases, the demands upon the healthcare
system are also increasing which is costing more money and resources. While population
growth can be a driver of economic expansion and social development, it also presents
significant challenges, particularly in the healthcare sector. When the basic necessities of life
- water, food, shelter and clothing are not met, as is likely the situation in most developing
countries of the world including Nigeria, people are more likely to get sick, which according
to Eni & Ukpong (2014) constitute a greater burden on the available facilities and social
support system, including healthcare resources. Another way in which the population
influences demand for healthcare is in terms of the aging population in the society. According
to Mion (2013), elderly people tend to have far greater healthcare needs than young people
thereby adding up more pressure and increasing the frequency of visits to medical facilities.
Nevertheless, people use healthcare services for many reasons; to treat illness and health
conditions, mend break and tears, prevent or delay future healthcare problems, reduce pains
and increase quality of life, and sometimes merely to obtain information about their health
status and prognosis.

A leading humanitarian aid and global health expert warns that the staggering rate of
population growth is causing a strain on countries’ health systems, with disastrous
consequences. “More should be done to safeguard individuals in vulnerable parts of the
world. Their health systems are simply not equipped to cope with the burden of such a
rapidly growing population,” says Shameet Thakkar, founder and managing director of
Unimed Procurement Services, an organization contributing to international development by
increasing access to healthcare commodities (News-Medical, 2023). According to the UN,
most of the fastest-growing populations are in the group of Least Developed Countries,
encompassing entire communities that just won’t have the opportunity to live a life filled with
the same rights and choices as others in the world (News-Medical, 2023).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Nigerian population growth has different implications for healthcare access. A country’s
growth rate affects citizens’ health and the resultant causes of death and life expectancy at
birth. Beyond the direct implications on education, and health, Nigeria’s growing population
brings with it a plethora of other health issues (Aliyu & Amadu, 2017). These include
increasing pressure on the healthcare system, a worsening environmental deterioration that
results in pollution and resource depletion, difficulties brought on by fast urbanization, such
as crowded living conditions and poor sanitation, risks to food insecurity that lead to
malnutrition, growing social gaps in access to opportunities and healthcare, and possible
public safety issues like social unrest and eviction (Agboola, Alotaibi, Dodo, Abuhussain, &
Abuhussain, 2024).

Lack of access to quality healthcare in Nigeria’s rural, sub-urban, and urban areas has led to
poor health outcomes and reduced quality of life for low-income citizens. Primary health
centers (PHCs) are the closest healthcare facilities to the populace for health delivery.
However, despite their proximity to the grassroots, they are not adequately equipped with the
resources and personnel necessary to provide comprehensive healthcare services. This has
resulted in the spread of preventable diseases and increased mortality rates, particularly
among women and children (Omosigho, Okesanya, Olaleke, Eshun, & Lucero-Prisno, 2023).

Despite Nigeria’s rapidly expanding population, which is expected to reach 400 million by
2050, medical professionals are in low supply, with only approximately 35000 doctors avail
able compared to the WHO’s suggested total of 237,000 (Haleem, Javaid, Singh, & Suman,
2021). This problem is partially caused by the widespread exodus of healthcare personnel to
other countries. According to the Nigerian Medical Association, Nigeria loses at least $1.5
billion a year to medical tourism and over 2,000 medical practitioners depart the country
every year (Businessday, 2021). This massive movement of medical professionals traveling
abroad is a result of the poor infrastructure in Nigeria’s hospitals, underpayment of workers,
and a lack of commitment from the government. The typical doctor-to-patient ratio is 1:600,
while Nigeria’s doctor-to-patient ratio is 4:10 000 in 2021, which is lower than the
recommended level worldwide (Adebayo, Labiran, Emerenini, & Omoruyi, 2016). This has
caused the medical brain to drain, leaving many people in Nigeria without access to medical
care.

Against this background, this study will examine the impact of population growth on
healthcare access in Nigeria.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The broad purpose of this research is to examine the impact of population growth on
healthcare access in Nigeria. However, the specific objectives include to:
 1. Examine the relationship between population growth and healthcare access in Nigeria.
2. Assess the impact of population growth on healthcare infrastructure in Nigeria.
3. Investigate the effects of population growth on healthcare financing in Nigeria.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions guided this study:

1. What is the correlation between population growth rates and healthcare access
indicators in Nigeria?
2. How does population growth affect healthcare infrastructure, including the
availability and distribution of healthcare facilities, healthcare personnel, and medical
equipment?
3. What are the effects of population growth on healthcare financing, including
government expenditure, private expenditure, and out-of-pocket payments?

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Empirical Review

There are series of studies that have been carried out by researchers in literature in order to
know the impact of population growth on healthcare access. The review of related studies is
presented in chronological order.

Owoseni, Gbadamosi, Ijabadeniyi & Adekunle (2016) examined the types of health facilities
utilized, the number of health personnel to residents of Ekiti State and factors influencing
choice of health facilities patronized by the urban dwellers. Primary data collection scheme
was employed for the study. Data were drawn from structured questionnaire and analyzed
through descriptive statistics. Chi squared test was used to test the relationship between
health facilities and population growth. 200 respondents comprising 30 health workers and
170 urban communities’ dwellers were involved in the study. Findings showcased that 31.5%
of the respondents always patronize both federal and Ekiti state university teaching hospital
while private hospital has 32.8% patronage rate. Primary health centres had 10.7%;
pharmaceutical and patent stores had 2.2% patronage. In an examination on the ratio of daily
service delivery, 35% of health workers were average of 50 patients to a doctor while it was
about 37 patients to a nurse and 30 patients to a medical laboratory scientist. The calculated
value of Chi-squared 44.16 greater than the tabulated value at 0.5 significant levels
interpreted that increase in population has a significant difference on accessibility of health
facilities. Nonetheless, determinants of choice of service utilized were high cost of facilities,
inadequate service delivery by personnel, and preference for high ranking health facilities
resulting in overload. Recommendations include the overhaul of health infrastructure.
particularly clinics and maternity centres to reduce overload on general hospitals.

Angell, Sanuade, & Adetifa (2022) undertook a comprehensive assessment of the burden of
disease in Nigeria and compared outcomes to other west African countries. They used data
and results of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2019, they
analyzed patterns of mortality, years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs),
life expectancy, healthy life expectancy (HALE), and health system coverage for Nigeria and
15 other west African countries by gender in 1998 and 2019. Findings revealed that health
outcomes remain poor in Nigeria despite higher expenditure since 2001. Better outcomes in
countries with equivalent or lower health expenditure suggest health system strengthening
and targeted intervention to address unsafe water sources, poor sanitation, malnutrition, and
exposure to air pollution could substantially improve population health.

Finally, Adesola, Opuni, Idris, Okesanya, Igwe, Abdulazeez & Lucero-Prisno (2024)
examined the multifaceted impacts of population growth on public health in Nigeria.
Drawing parallels with Omran’s epidemiological transition model (that focuses on the
intricate means that patterns of health and illness are changing, as well as the relationships
that exist between these patterns and the sociological, demographic, and economic factors
that influence them) and referencing experiences from Chile and Ceylon. The study
highlights a substantial rise in Nigeria’s population causing a double burden of infectious and
non-communicable diseases, leading to higher morbidity, and mortality rates, increased
healthcare costs, decreased productivity, and health inequalities, posing significant challenges
to the country’s healthcare system. They further emphasizes the urgent need for strategic
interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of population growth on health.
Recommendations include revitalizing primary healthcare centers, fostering public-private
partnerships to enhance healthcare accessibility, leveraging technological advancements like
telemedicine, and promoting initiatives to improve nutrition and environmental sustainability.

2.2 Gaps in Literature

The ability of Nigeria’s healthcare system to provide adequate services is increasingly

strained by the rising demand for medical care, infrastructure, and resources. This study will
extend prior literature such as: Adesola, Opuni, Idris, Okesanya, Igwe, Abdulazeez &
Lucero-Prisno (2024) who examined the multifaceted impacts of population growth on public
health in Nigeria using parallels with Omran’s epidemiological transition model. Owoseni,
Gbadamosi, Ijabadeniyi & Adekunle (2016) examined the population growth and challenges
in access to healthcare facilities in Urban Ekiti, Nigeria. However, this research work fills the
huge knowledge gap examining the impact of population growth on healthcare access.

METHODOLOGY

A comprehensive literature review was conducted on the impact of population growth on

healthcare access in Nigeria using electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Google
Scholar, and Web of Science (Science Citation Index and Social Science Citation Index). This
strategy combined various keywords relating to population growth and healthcare access in
Nigeria (e.g “Nigeria”, “population growth”, “healthcare access”, “healthcare infrastructure”,
“healthcare financing”, “healthcare system”, “public health”, “healthcare costs” and “sub-
Saharan Africa”). Our review also included grey literature (e.g. reports, policy literature, blog
posts, government documents, white papers, dissertations) by using advanced Google
targeted website searching. Peer-reviewed papers written in English and published between
January 2000 and January 2025 were included. Unrelated or duplicate articles were excluded.
A total of 107 potential articles were identified, and after excluding ineligible materials, 41
papers were reviewed. A data extraction form was used to collect relevant information from
selected studies by the authors. The authors read the entire manuscript and decided on the
main takeaway. Thematic areas were deduced based on the conclusions of the original
authors. The extracted data were then analyzed and discussed using a narrative synthesis
approach. The findings from the selected studies were categorized based on our specific
objectives. Result patterns were then summarized to provide an exhaustive review of the
impact of population growth on healthcare access in Nigeria.

RESULTS

4.1 The relationship between Population Growth and Healthcare Access in Nigeria

Sound health is a fundamental requirement for living a socially and economically productive
life. Poor health inflicts great hardships on households, including debilitation, substantial
monetary expenditures, loss of labour and sometimes death. Access to healthcare services is a
multidimensional process involving the quality of care, geographical accessibility,
availability of the right type of care for those in need, financial accessibility, and acceptability
of service (Peters, Garg, Bloom, Walker, Brieger & Rahman, 2008). The World Health
Organization also defines access to healthcare as universal health coverage which means that
all people have access to the health services they need, when and where they need them of
sufficient quality to be effective, without financial hardship. The goal should include the full
range of essential health services, from health promotion to prevention, treatment,
rehabilitation and palliative care and beyond to holistic improvement of well-being and
quality of life (WHO, 2022).

The Nigerian health system is organized in three tiers: primary, secondary and tertiary care
levels. The primary health centers are deployed at the grass roots in the ward health system
which locates a primary health center at each political ward (9,560 wards) to be run by the
local government authority. Secondary health care is delivered at the general hospitals run by
the state governments and each is deployed to cover several local governments. The tertiary
hospitals are run by the federal government and offer tertiary care and health manpower
training in teaching hospitals and federal medical centers (FGN, 2018).

Nigeria, with an estimated population of over 200 million, experiences rapid population
growth, which significantly impacts healthcare access. The high population growth rate,
averaging about 2.6% annually, places immense pressure on the healthcare system, leading to
inadequate medical facilities, a shortage of healthcare professionals, and disparities in service
delivery (World Bank, 2021). Although total fertility rates (TFRs) in Nigeria have declined
gradually from 6.7 in 2008 to 5.3 in 2018, the reduction rate remains high compared to
advanced countries (Obiyan, Akinlo & Ogunjuyigbe, 2019). Nigeria’s population has
continued to grow even faster than other countries similar or ranked at the same level as
Nigeria in terms of size, with a decline in the death rate. With the current death rate of 2.26%,
it is predicted to slow or decline in the coming years to 2.04% by 2050 (World Population
Review, 2023). In Nigeria, rapid population growth has intensified pressure on healthcare
services, particularly at the primary healthcare level (Ebingha, Eni & Okpa, 2019).

Omotosho (2010) also highlighted that population growth in Nigeria has led to shortage of
physicians, nurses and trained health personnel that could treat the various types of illness
brought to their facilities. According to Adepoju (2019), access to healthcare is highly
unequal, with rural areas suffering the most. While urban centers like Lagos and Abuja have
relatively better healthcare facilities, rural communities lack hospitals, trained personnel, and
essential medicines. High population growth exacerbates these disparities, making it difficult
for many Nigerians to receive adequate medical attention. The under-five mortality rate in
Nigeria stands at 117 per 1,000 live births, this high mortality rates, particularly among
infants and pregnant women is caused by the limited access to healthcare. Preventable
diseases such as malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea remain leading causes of death (UNICEF,
2021).

With a high birth rate of about 5.3 children per woman (World Bank, 2021), maternal and
child healthcare services are overwhelmed. Nigeria has one of the highest maternal mortality
rates globally, at approximately 512 deaths per 100,000 live births (WHO, 2022). The lack of
skilled birth attendants, inadequate prenatal care, and limited postnatal services contribute to
these poor health outcomes.

4.2 Impact of Population Growth on Healthcare Infrastructure in Nigeria

Health Infrastructure refers to the core facilities, services and the whole or part of social
capital in an economy that is needed for human capital development and serves as a support
system to the provision of health facilities (Ghosh & Dinda, 2017). Healthcare infrastructures
are judged by the quality of physical, technological and human resources available at a given
period in time in a nation. Hospital buildings and other fixed structures such as pipe-borne
water, good access roads, electricity and so on within the healthcare environments, whilst the
technology is about the equipment meant specifically for hospital use including surgeries are
all classified under physical health infrastructure (Mopa & Duan, 2022). In Nigeria, health
infrastructure remains a frontline problem. Various statistics puts Nigeria as one of the
poorest in health care delivery in the world such that the World Health Organization (WHO)
in 2019 rated Nigeria as 187th out of 191 countries in terms of health care delivery with the
third highest in maternal and infant mortality rate globally (Abelegbe, 2020).

According to Lambo (2007), population explosion exerts great pressure on infrastructures,

particularly health facilities, thus overstretching healthcare facilities and manpower. Since
spatio-temporal variability in population is a consequence of natural increase and migration,
the state of health facilities should continuously be appraised for effective service delivery
and sustainable improvement in the quality of life of the citizenry (Egwemi, 2010). One of
the most significant impacts of population growth in Nigeria is the increased demand for
healthcare services, which has outpaced the expansion of medical facilities. The number of
hospitals, clinics, and primary healthcare centers (PHCs) is insufficient to meet the needs of
the growing population. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nigeria has
approximately 34,000 health facilities, with many concentrated in urban areas, leaving rural
communities underserved (WHO, 2021).

Adepoju (2020) highlighted that overcrowding in hospitals is a major issue, leading to long
waiting times and compromised quality of care. He revealed that tertiary healthcare centers,
such as the University College Hospital in Ibadan and the Lagos University Teaching
Hospital, often operate beyond their capacity, with some patients having to sleep on hospital
floors due to a lack of available beds. This situation increases the risk of hospital-acquired
infections and worsens patient outcomes.

The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Index thresholds suggest a minimum density of
4.45 doctors, nurses, and midwives per 1000 population (i.e., 44.5 per 10,000 population) in a
country (WHO, 2018). But, according to the World Health Organization, in 2018 Nigeria
only had 3.81 medical doctors (per 10,000 population), and 9.26 nurses/midwives (per 10,000
population) (WHO, 2018). Furthermore, 88% of practicing doctors work in hospitals, and
most of those (74%) work in private hospitals. Only about 12% of practicing doctors work at
public health centers. National Strategic Health Development Plan II (2018-2022) also notes
that public health centers comprise 80% of all health facilities, and of these, around 80% lack
running water, electricity, equipment and essential medicines, or the building requires
maintenance (FGN, 2016; Hafez, 2018).

Furthermore, the Increasing population has led to a higher demand for medical professionals,
but Nigeria faces a severe shortage of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers.
According to the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the country has fewer than 40,000
doctors serving a population of over 200 million, translating to a doctor-to-patient ratio of
about 1:5,000, far below the WHO recommendation of 1:600 (NMA, 2022). A major
contributing factor to this shortage is the migration of Nigerian healthcare professionals to
countries with better working conditions, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and the
United States. Between 2015 and 2022, over 9,000 Nigerian doctors were reported to have
moved to the UK alone (BBC News, 2023). The lack of adequate remuneration, poor
working conditions, and inadequate medical infrastructure have contributed to this brain
drain.

With an increasing population and changing lifestyles, Nigeria is witnessing a rise in non-
communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. These
conditions require long-term management, placing additional pressure on healthcare facilities
that are already struggling to handle communicable diseases. The lack of specialized
healthcare centers and trained personnel to manage NCDs means many Nigerians do not
receive timely or adequate treatment, leading to higher mortality rates (WHO, 2022).

4.3 Effects of Population Growth on Healthcare Financing in Nigeria

Healthcare financing can be defined as the mobilization of funds for healthcare services
(Oyefabi, Aliyu & Idris, 2014). In other words, it is the provision of money, funds or
resources to the activities designed by government to maintain people’s health. The amount
of resources earmarked for health care in a country is said to be a reflection of health value
placement vis-à-vis other categories of goods and services. It has been opined that the nature
of health care financing defines the structure and the behaviour of different stakeholders and
quality of health outcomes (Metiboba, 2012). There are various sources of healthcare
financing existing across the world, including Nigeria. These sources include, but not limited
to tax-based public sector health financing, household out-of-pocket health expenditure, the
private sector (donor funding), community-based health expenditure, and social health
insurances. External financing of health care includes grants and loans from donor agencies
like the World Bank, the World Health Organization (WHO), Funds and Foundations among
others (Mladovsky & Mossialos, 2008; Metiboba, 2012; Riman & Akpan, 2012; Obansa &
Orimisan, 2013).

Achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is a major goal for Nigeria, but rapid
population growth presents a significant obstacle. UHC aims to ensure that all individuals
have access to essential healthcare services without financial hardship (WHO, 2022).
However, given Nigeria’s limited healthcare financing mechanisms, the growing population
makes it difficult to expand healthcare services to all citizens. The National Health Insurance
Scheme (NHIS) was established in 1999 to provide health insurance cover to all Nigerians.
However, by 2017 only 4.2 % of Nigerians had been covered by the NHIS, and most of the
insured are civil servants (Hafez, 2018). In 2015, less than 5% of Nigerians had any kind of
health insurance coverage; most enrollees in health insurance schemes are from the formal
sector. The informal sector has a very poor enrollment rate in the health insurance schemes
(Okpani & Abimbola, 2015). The continuous public underfunding of health has caused high
out-of-pocket expenditures on health. Even though Nigeria has a fast-increasing population,
most people remain outside health insurance coverage. High out-of-pocket costs
disproportionately affect low-income families, leading to financial hardship and reduced
access to healthcare services. Many Nigerians forgo medical treatment due to high costs,
resulting in worsening health outcomes and increased mortality rates (Hafez, 2018).

For governments, the cost of delivering healthcare services to a bigger population presents
serious challenges. The demand for healthcare resources, staff, and infrastructure rises with
population size, driving up healthcare costs (Adesola, Opuni, Idris, Okesanya, Igwe,
Abdulazeez & Lucero-Prisno, 2024). According to Dixit, Mao, Ogbuoji, Bharali, Ogundeji, &
Yamey (2021), many of the multilateral donors are in the process of transitioning out of
Nigeria now that the country meets some of their exit criteria, such as reaching a particular
per capita income eligibility threshold. For example, Gavi, which is a major funder of
vaccination programs, had planned to transition from Nigeria in 2021, but due to a request
from the Nigerian government it has extended its exit from 2021 to 2028. Nigeria will need to
increase its domestic funding of vaccine programs to maintain vaccination coverage after
Gavi exits. Similarly, Nigeria is a World Bank International Development Association (IDA)
blend country, which limits its ability to access concessional financing. The Global Polio
Eradication Initiative (GPEI) has also started to reduce its support (Hafez, 2018). Gavi, the
Global Fund, IDA, and other donors transitions not only fund disease control programs, but
also provide non-financial resources such as technical knowledge. The departure of these
donors will seriously impact the quality and quantity of healthcare services available in
Nigeria unless there is a commensurate rise in domestic health financing (Dixit, Mao,
Ogbuoji, Bharali, Ogundeji, & Yamey, 2021).

Recently, the U.S. President signed an Executive Order directing the United States Agency
for International Development (USAID) to pause its work for 90 days. The consequences of
this pause on foreign aid are particularly concerning for Nigeria’s already fragile health
system. USAID supports critical programmes in Nigeria, including a WASH programme
focused on water resource management, nutrition investments, and humanitarian and
development programmes in Northeast Nigeria. In addition, the cut in funding has affected
the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which provides vital HIV
prevention, care, and treatment services. A decrease in development assistance could severely
disrupt these vital initiatives, which are essential to addressing Nigeria’s public health
challenges. With a growing population, the demand for donor assistance increases, but
reliance on external funding exposes Nigeria to financial vulnerability in its healthcare
system (Nigeria Health Watch, 2025).
DISCUSSION

Our result showed that Nigeria with a rapidly growing population of over 220 million people,
faces significant challenges in healthcare access. The rising population leads to overcrowded
hospitals and clinics. Healthcare professionals are overstretched, resulting in longer wait
times. Another significant challenge is that there is a shortage of doctors, nurses, and other
medical professionals, this is due to the fact that many Nigerian healthcare workers migrate
abroad for better opportunities, worsening the doctor-to-patient ratio.

High population density, especially in urban slums, facilitates the spread of communicable
diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, and cholera. The country largely depends on external
funding for healthcare delivery and many citizens rely on out-of-pocket payments, making
healthcare unaffordable for low-income families. The National Health Insurance Scheme
(NHIS) covers only a small percentage of Nigerians, and Nigeria has one of the highest
maternal and infant mortality rates in the world.

CASE STUDY: EBONYI STATE

Arochukwu, Ike, Adewoyin & Eludoyin (2025) investigates the population dynamics of
healthcare delivery in Ebonyi State, Nigeria, emphasizing gender disparities, spatial
distribution, and the accessibility of basic health facilities, employing Geographic
Information Systems (GIS) for analysis. The research reveals that Izzi, Onicha, Ikwo, and
Ohaukwu Local Government Areas (LGAs) collectively account for over 40% of the state's
population. Demographic data indicates a 2.8% annual population growth across the 13
LGAs from 2006 to 2022, with Ivo LGA, the least populated, representing approximately
4.6% of the state's population. The GIS analysis indicates that 81.1% of the population
resides within 60 minutes of a primary healthcare centre (PHC), though accessibility varies
significantly, especially in rural areas. The gender distribution shows an overall balance with
49% males and 51% females; however, LGAs such as Izzi and Ikwo exhibit a higher
proportion of females than males. These findings underscore the necessity for targeted
healthcare interventions, including equitable resource allocation, enhancement of PHC
facilities, and the provision of gender-sensitive services such as maternity and pediatric care.
The GIS-based accessibility mapping highlights the importance of incorporating spatial
analysis into healthcare planning to identify underserved areas and optimize resource
allocation.

LIMITATIONS
The study made use of secondary data to arrive at some conclusions – which are limited
because of the variations in the contents of the data. Also the current situation on the ground
may be different from the retrospective data, which could be biased. The Nigerian health
system lacks the use of evidence for policy formulation, planning, implementation and
evaluation as well as lack of timely data.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Rapid population growth has increased the demand for healthcare services and affected
access to high-quality healthcare services. To address the implications of population growth,
there is a need to invest in healthcare infrastructure and implement policies to improve
healthcare systems. The following factors can be addressed to achieve improved healthcare
systems.

 A strong primary healthcare system can alleviate pressure on hospitals by providing

essential services at the community level. As primary healthcare centers are the
closest healthcare facilities to the populace, standard primary healthcare centers will
serve as an avenue to get close to the community and provide them with adequate
medical care.
 Digital health solutions, such as telemedicine and mobile health applications, can
improve healthcare access, especially in remote areas with limited medical personnel.
 Addressing high fertility rates through family planning programs can help slow
population growth and reduce pressure on healthcare services. Increasing public
awareness about hygiene, vaccination, and disease prevention can also improve
overall health outcomes.
 Addressing the shortage of healthcare professionals is critical. The government should
provide incentives such as better salaries, improved working conditions, and
continuous medical training to retain skilled personnel.
 The government can introduce special taxes on industries such as tobacco, alcohol,
and sugary beverages, directing the proceeds toward healthcare financing.

CONCLUSION
This study establishes that Nigeria’s rapid population growth poses a significant challenge to
its healthcare infrastructure, leading to overcrowded hospitals, a shortage of medical
professionals, inadequate funding, and poor health outcomes. Without urgent and sustained
interventions, the healthcare system will continue to struggle under the weight of an
expanding population. Increased investment in healthcare infrastructure, improved workforce
retention strategies, and the adoption of innovative healthcare solutions are essential to
ensuring that Nigeria’s growing population has access to quality medical services. Future
research should focus on regional disparities, informal healthcare utilization, health insurance
sustainability, and the role of digital health solutions. These insights will be crucial for
policymakers in designing equitable and effective healthcare interventions in response to
Nigeria’s growing population.

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