URBANIZATION IN NIGERIA; PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS A CASE OF OWERRI MUNICIPAL COUNCIL

ABSTRACT

One of the most significant developments world wide is the rapid increase in urbanization. This is more so in developing countries where urbanization is proceeding at the alarming rate. Nigeria is not an exception to this trend. The researcher, who has an intense interest to study those problems that befall urban centers in Nigeria, wrote on the urbanization in Nigeria. Problems and prospects; (a case of Owerri Municipal Urban Council). The aim is to identify the various problems that befall urban dwellers in Owerri municipal council and other emerging urban centers of Imo State. The work seeks also to ascertain the reasons for rural urban migration in Imo State, and Others in the course of the study, the researcher used survey and questionnaire methods and equally conducted oral interviews to gather the required data on the subject matter. The researcher find out that, crimes, lack of accommodation, or housing, unemployment, urban sprawl, prostitution, and other problem which are existing in Owerri Municipal urban council. It also discovered that other emerging urban centers in Imo State has not attained the status of urban centre. The researcher concludes with recommendations on how to mitigate urban problems such as; Extension of social amenities to rural areas, creation of employment opportunities by the government etc.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title Page –      –      –      –      –      –      –      –      –      i

Certification    –      –      –      –      –      –      –      –      ii

Dedication      –      –      –      –      –      –      –      –      iii

Acknowledgement  –      –      –      –      –      –      –      iv

Abstract  –      –      –      –      –      –      –      –      –      v

Table of content     –      –      –      –      –      –      –      vi

CHAPTER ONE

1. Introduction    –      –      –      –      –      –      –      1

1.1  Background of the study –      –      –      –      –      1

1.2  Statement of the problem     –      –      –      –      6

1.3  Objectives of the study  –      –      –      –      –      7

1.4  Research Question  –      –      –      –      –      –      8

1.5  Statement of Hypothesis       –      –      –      –      –      9

1.6  Significance of the study –      –      –      –      –      10

1.7  scope of the study  –      –      –      –      –      –      11

1.8  Limitation of the study   –      –      –      –      –      11

1.9  Definition of terms  –      –      –      –      –      –      12

CHAPTER TWO

• Literature Review    –      –      –      –      –      –      14

2.1  Introduction    –      –      –      –      –      –      –      14

2.2  Meaning and nature of urban area –      –      –      14

2.3  Urbanization in Nigeria   –      –      –      –      –      16

2.4   Trends in urbanization in Nigeria   –      –      –      20

2.5 causes and consequences of problems of urbanization in Nigeria.  –      –       –      –      –      –      –      –      –      27

2.6 The prospects of urbanization in Nigeria. –      –      39

Reference       –      –      –      –      –      –      –      –      44

CHAPTER THREE

• Research Design and Methodology –      –      –      45

3.1  Introduction    –      –      –      –      –      –      –      45

3.2  Research Design     –      –      –      –      –      –      45

3.3  Sources and methods of Data collection       –      –      46

3.4  Sample size    –      –      –      –      –      –      –      47

3.5  Sample Technique  –      –      –      –      –      –      47

3.6  Validity and Reliability of measuring instrument-  48

3.7  Method of data analysis  –      –      –      –      –      49

CHAPTER FOUR

• Presentation and analysis of data   –      –      –      51

4.1  Introduction    –      –      –      –      –      –      –      51

4.2  Presentation of data       –      –      –      –      –      –      51

4.3  Analysis of data      –      –      –      –      –      –      61

4.4  Test of Hypothesis  –      –      –      –      –      –      62

4.5  Interpretation of results –      –      –      –      –      69

CHAPTER FIVE

• Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation –      71

5.1  Introduction    –      –      –      –      –      –      –      71

5.2  Summary of finding       –      –      –      –      –      –      72

5.3  Conclusion      –      –      –      –      –      –      –      73

5.4  Recommendations  –      –      –      –      –      –      74

References      –      –      –      –      –      –      –      –      76

Appendix –      –      –      –      –      –      –      –      –      78

Questionnaire  –      –      –      –      –      –      –      –      79

CHAPTER ONE

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1  BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

    One of the most significant development world wide is the rapid increase in urbanization. This is more so in developing countries where urbanization is proceeding at an alarming rate. Nigeria is not exceptional to this trend. It is the most urbanized country in Africa in terms of degree and spread of urbanization.

       As the population of Nigeria increased from 30.4 million in 1952 and 1953 to 55.6 million in 1963, then to 88.5 millions in 1991 and 107.2 millions in 1997, the number of urban centers and their population also increased tremendously as a result of the influx of migrants (people’s movement) from rural areas to urban areas Ezeani (2001).

       Also creation of states in Nigeria has not only bring development in remote areas but has created a certain amount of healthy competition in economic development between states and has also encouraged rapid urbanization in the country. This is because as more urban centers become state capitals, the rate of urbanization also increased. For example, the creation of 12 states in 1967 create eight more urban centers, which include; Bauch, Makurdi, Yola, Owerri, Ikeja, Minna, Abeokuta and Akure. The same trend of urbanization was experienced when the number of states in Nigeria increased to 19 states and 21 states and then to 30 states.

       Today, Nigeria has a total number of 36 states with the federal capital territory Abuja and the all the states capitals urban centers.

       The local government reform of 1976 also contributed to the high rate of urbanization in Nigeria. The reform shows that local government should serve the population of between 150,000 and 800,000 since it was aimed at bringing people nearer to the government, at the same time share resources, particularly oil revenues more within the federal system like Nigeria. The state government used those guidelines in the subsequent arrangement for the creation of local government areas. This resulted to the creation of over 302 local government areas in 1980’s and has increased to the current level of 774. also local government headquarters have been selected from existing urban centers and new urban centers where none existed before.

       The increased number of urban centers in Nigeria resulted from the creation of states and local government areas as well as other administrative, commercial and industrial activities in the country have resulted in large urban population and this number is likely to continue increasing.

       Furthermore, Nigeria being a developing country is experiencing a rapid increase in urbanization. The urban area exists at the expense of the rural areas. Many rural dwellers keep migrating to urban centers due to the backward nature of the rural areas. The process of urbanization continues as more and more people migrate from rural area to urban centers. In 1952 Nigeria had fifty four (54) towns with a population of 20,000 and more. During this time, the total population living in these towns and cities was about 3.1 million. The population and the number of towns and the cities increased tremendously in 1963 with 10.7 million respectively.

       It is important to note that some Nigerian states are highly populated and urbanized than others. For instance, every state has urban centers, but the degree of urbanization differs from state to state, city to city and even within the same state. In former Eastern states of Nigeria, some cities are more thickly populated than others. Such as Enugu, Onitsha, Abakaliki, Owerri, Calabar and Aba etc. This does not mean that other minor cities or urban centers were not in existence. The large population noticed in some of these old urban centers was as a result of early migration (movement) and concentration of people in these areas. Making reference to the western states, some states are more urbanized than others. There is no how the degree of urbanization in states like Lagos, Ibadan, Abeokuta, Ogbomosho can be compare with other cities in the West. For instance, in Lagos alone by 1963, 73 percent of the population lived towns with 20,000 or more people and for western states, the comparable figure was 52 percent. No other state had more than 20 percent of its population in the urban areas of this size.

       According to 1991 census data, it was indicated that urbanization has increased tremendously. This indication shows that urbanization in Nigeria has taken a geometrical progression, and is likely to continue to accelerate in the next years.

       Although urbanization especially in developed nations is associated with industrialization and economic development, it also has certain consequences in the developing countries such as Nigeria. Indeed, a major implication of the spectacular growth of the cities is that Nigeria is threatened by serious urban crisis today. One cannot visit such cities as Lagos, Kano, Ibadan, Owerri, Onitsha, Enugu, Abakaliki, Aba and others, and fail to develop a sense of crisis about the human condition a sense of urgency about remedial action, a sense of hopelessness about greatly improving urban conditions.

       Thus, urbanization in Nigeria is closely associated with problems such as; degraded environment, unemployment, poverty etc. all these have emerged as major socio-economic issues with potentially important political implications.