How can reducing the population and preserving our rain forests improve the economic conditions in Nigeria?
Developing and preserving our rain forests and wildlife could attract revenues comparable to our incoming petro-dollars. Rainforests attract revenues from eco-tourists and adventure seekers. Eco-tourists could make pilgrimages to our primary forests in Cross River State and bring in 100 million dollars in revenue. We can even develop eco-tourism into a billion dollar industry and compete with Kenya in attracting tourists. The major problem is that we cannot save the rainforest without reducing our population. Geographically, Nigeria is only the 14th largest country in Africa but the 10th most populous country in the world. The country does not have the resources to carry 115 million people. The overpopulation of Nigeria has resulted in a rapid depletion of the soil, water and forest resources and is even a factor in our ranking as the 13th poorest country in the world. Yet, the average Nigerian family has 6.5 children and the Nigerian population is projected to increase to 191 million
