by Dolapo Adelana

Nigeria last conducted a National Population Census in 2006.

The National Population Commission has proposed that a new census be conducted in 2018, which is expected to gulp N272bn.

But the World Bank believes that by 2035, Africa will need to provide 50,000 jobs daily to keep up with its population growth.

A tweet by an ex-official of the US State Department Matthew Page says the unchecked population growth in the country has had an adverse effect on the nation’s economy.

His tweet evoked varying reactions from a cross-section of users of the microblogging site.

See reactions

Our leaders are clueless

Population manipulation did not start today – the Brits have been doing it long before independence

The right of women and children must be considered

Culture and religion should be blamed

Blame it on quota system

Why is Northern Nigeria so stubborn?

The way forward

All we need is Biafra