The North’s Untapped Wealth: Why Nigeria’s Population Should Be Moving Upward, Not Downward
When you look closely at Nigeria’s map and numbers, one truth stands out clearly — the North is not overpopulated. In fact, it is the South that is bursting at the seams.
Take a simple comparison: Niger State alone spans about 76,000 square kilometers with a population of just 6 million people. Meanwhile, the five states of the South East combined cover only 29,000 square kilometers but house over 25 million people.
On a larger scale, Northern Nigeria occupies around 750,000 square kilometers, roughly 80% of the nation’s total landmass, with a population of about 125 million. The South, on the other hand, has only 190,000 square kilometers — yet accommodates nearly 116 million Nigerians.
These statistics tell a clear story: the South is overpopulated, while the North is underutilized. Despite having vast, fertile, and resource-rich land, the North remains largely unproductive — forcing its people to migrate to the already crowded South.
Ironically, Nigerians are moving in the wrong direction. The migration should be northward, where there’s space, opportunity, and untapped potential.
If the North’s expansive landmass were properly harnessed for agriculture, solid minerals, and light industries, the region could easily feed itself — and the rest of Africa. But decades of misdirection, insecurity, and misplaced priorities have crippled what should be the nation’s agricultural powerhouse.
It’s important to note that Islam is not the reason for the North’s challenges. In places like the South West, the Gulf countries, and Indonesia, Islam thrives alongside peace, education, and prosperity. The real problem lies in how a few extremists have twisted religion to justify violence and discourage development.
What the North needs now is leadership with vision, courage, and sincerity — leaders who can turn land into wealth and people into productive citizens. The region’s 80% share of Nigeria’s landmass is enough to sustain cattle ranches, mechanized farms, and small industries capable of transforming lives.
Cows have no business grazing in the forests of the South. The North’s vast land is more than enough to sustain modern livestock farming on a continental scale.
At the same time, the South must face its own reality. With limited space and a growing population, the region must begin to promote responsible family planning, efficient land use, and sustainable development. Otherwise, overcrowding and food insecurity will worsen in the years ahead.
The message is simple: Nigeria must balance her population with her resources. The North should rise to its productive potential, and the South must manage its density with wisdom.
If both regions play their part, Nigeria will not only feed itself but also emerge as a true giant — strong in numbers, rich in resources, and balanced in development.
