The 2024 State of the Nation Report has revealed that Nigeria’s life expectancy remains critically low at 54.6 years, significantly below the global average of 73.3 years. This is a stark difference of 18.7 years.
The report, released on Tuesday in Abuja, highlights the devastating interplay of economic hardship, widespread insecurity, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure as key factors driving this alarming statistic. Against the backdrop of President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, which have exacerbated hunger and poverty, the report underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms to address the nation’s deepening crises.
Economic Policies and Rising Poverty
President Tinubu’s administration has implemented a series of economic measures, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira, which have led to skyrocketing inflation and a sharp increase in the cost of living. While the report notes a growth in Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to N60.9 trillion in 2024, with a growth rate of 3.19%, the benefits of this growth remain starkly uneven. Approximately 63% of Nigerians continue to live in multidimensional poverty, struggling with inadequate access to healthcare, education, and basic living standards.
The economic policies, though aimed at stabilizing the economy, have disproportionately affected the most vulnerable populations. Rising food prices and unemployment have pushed millions deeper into poverty, with young people aged 15 to 24 years facing an unemployment rate of 8.4%. Young women are particularly affected, further exacerbating gender disparities in access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
Insecurity and Its Toll on Life Expectancy
The report also highlights the pervasive insecurity plaguing Nigeria, with armed conflicts, banditry, and kidnappings cutting short lives across multiple geopolitical zones. Communities in the North-West, North-East, and parts of the South are particularly affected, with thousands displaced and many more living in constant fear. This insecurity not only directly contributes to mortality but also disrupts healthcare delivery, agricultural activities, and access to essential services, further worsening health outcomes.
Health Challenges and Gender Disparities
Communicable diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis remain significant contributors to Nigeria’s disease burden, negatively impacting life expectancy. The report notes a slight gender disparity in life expectancy, with women living an average of 54.9 years compared to men’s 54.3 years, consistent with global trends. However, women in rural areas face higher poverty levels, limited access to healthcare, and lower educational attainment, which further compounds their vulnerability.
The fertility rate, at 4.8 children per woman, remains among the highest in the world, with rural areas recording an even higher rate of 5.6. This reflects disparities in access to education and family planning services, as well as cultural norms that perpetuate early marriages and large family sizes.
Urbanization and Its Challenges
Urbanization continues at a rapid pace, with 54% of Nigerians now living in urban areas. While this shift is driven by the search for better economic opportunities and access to essential services, it has also led to infrastructure strain, pollution, and the growth of informal settlements. Cities like Abuja, Lagos, Kano which are rapidly expanding, face significant challenges in providing adequate housing, sanitation, and healthcare to their growing populations.
Call for Action
The report emphasizes the need for continued investment in healthcare, education, and social safety nets to address the root causes of Nigeria’s low life expectancy. It calls for targeted interventions to reduce poverty, improve access to healthcare, and address the gender and age disparities that perpetuate inequality. Additionally, the report highlights the urgent need to tackle insecurity, which remains a major barrier to development and a significant contributor to premature deaths.
Conclusion
Nigeria’s life expectancy of 54.6 years is a stark reminder of the nation’s ongoing struggles with poverty, insecurity, and inadequate healthcare. While economic growth is a positive indicator, the benefits must be more equitably distributed to ensure that all Nigerians can lead healthy and fulfilling lives. President Tinubu’s administration faces a critical juncture: to either recalibrate its economic policies to prioritize the welfare of its citizens or risk further entrenching the cycles of poverty and insecurity that continue to cut lives short. The time for decisive action is now.
