ASSESSING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF POPULATION

GROWTH IN RURAL AREAS

(A CASE STUDY OF SOKOTO NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT
AREA)

BY

MUHAMMED SHAHABAN
ADM. NO. 131691029

BEING A PROJECT SUBMITTED TO THE

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT,
COLLEGE OF ADMINISTRATIVE AND BUSINESS STUDIES,
THE POLYTECHNIC OF SOKOTO STATE, SOKOTO.

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR

THE AWARD OF NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN SOCIAL
DEVELOPMENT.

NOVEMBER, 2015.

i
 APPROVAL PAGE

I certify that this project work was carried out by

Muhammad Shahaban and has been read and approved as

having met the requirement of the Department of Social

Development, Sokoto State Polytechnic.

____________________ ____________________
Saidu Ibrahim D. Date
Head of Department

____________________ ____________________
Project Supervisor Date

____________________ ____________________
External Examiner Date

ii
 DEDICATION

This project work is dedicated to my parents who denied

themselves a lot of comfort to ensure that I am sent to school

and also to my loved one’s.

iii
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I wish to express my profound gratitude to Almighty

Allah for enabling me the opportunity to complete my research

project. However, a number of people have also contributed

immensely towards this important research work at various

stage of its production, without which it would have been

impossible, the most prominent among them is the project

supervisor, Mallam Saidu Ibrahim who in spite his numerous

commitment find time to read the work and guided me

through the production of this work and has shown great

concern towards the completion of my academic pursuit, my

thanks also goes to the head of department Mallam Saidu

Ibrahim for his numerous guidance during the course of my

studies.

Also my profound gratitude goes to National Population

Commission (NPC).

My inexhaustible appreciation goes to my Mother, sisters

and brothers for their prayers and moral advice in making my

dream a reality and I cannot but appreciate my friends such

as Muhammed Mudasir, Muhammed Okih, and Hameed Bello

iv
and to my colleagues in school for their academic support

throughout our stay in the school.

v
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page - - - - - - - - - i

Approval page - - - - - - - - ii

Dedication - - - - - - - - iii

Acknowledgements - - - - - - - iv

Table of contents - - - - - - - vi

CHAPTER ONE

1.1 Introduction - - - - - - - 1

1.2 Statement of problem - - - - - 5

1.3 Aims and objectives - - - - - - 5

1.4 Hypothesis - - - - - - - 6

1.5 Scheme of chapters - - - - - - 6

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 A review of literature - - - - - - 8

2.1 Introduction - - - - - - - 8

2.2 The political economic approach - - - 8

2.3 Population growth and economic growth - - 11

2.4 Population policies in Nigeria - - - - 12

2.5 Related problems and relevance of population growth 14

vi
2.6 Historical background of national

population commission - - - - - 15

2.7 Department of the NPC - - - - - 19

2.8 Vital registration - - - - - - 20

2.9 NPCS commitment to successful census exercise 27

2.10 Census in Nigeria - - - - - - 29

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 Research methodology - - - - - 46

3.1 Introduction - - - - - - - 46

3.2 Research design - - - - - - 46

3.3 Method of data collection - - - - - 46

3.4 Method of data analysis - - - - - 47

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 Data presentation and data analysis - - - 48

4.1 Introduction - - - - - - - 48

4.2 Data presentation - - - - - - 49

4.3 Data analysis - - - - - - - 52

4.4 Test of hypothesis - - - - - - 53

4.5 Summary of the finishing - - - - - 60

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CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 Summary, conclusion and recommendation - 61

5.1 Summary - - - - - - - - 61

5.2 Conclusion - - - - - - - 63

5.3 Recommendation - - - - - - 64

Bibliography - - - - - - - - 67

viii
 CHAPTER ONE

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Nigeria like any other parts of the world has witnessed

rapid population growth since the end of the Second World

War.

This is due to number of factors prominent among these

factor is growth of family size as an embodiment of the entire

social system, ethnical, psychological reasons as well as

religions, political and economic activities of the Nigeria society

“the resulting increase in number of children as compared

with the adult population, a large population of whom die

before the age of 50, has created really dependency ratio. Most

government have found it increasingly difficult to cope with

the demand for school, health facilities, housing and other

social services, while some have cope with periodic famines in

situations where the rural people depend almost entirely on

rainfall agriculture. This period has also witnessed massive

migrations of rural people into the urban centers where the

demand for jobs, public transport and water supply exceeds

the supply. These problems are in themselves sufficient to

1
create population awareness in the individual, family and the

nation. However, a large number of people who live with these

problems do not associate them with population growth.

Rather there is increasing tendency to blame government for

being unable to make life more pleasant as if government have

a magic ward for curing all social and economic ills, including

those created by the people through ignorance.

As a result, since 1970’s many governments have become

aware of the important of the population factor in national

development planning.

Though even within government circles, the “awareness”

phase of population issues is far from complete.

However, the consequences of population growth on

economic development have attracted the attention of

economists ever since Adam Smith wrote “the annual labour of

every nation is the funds which originally supply it with all the

necessary and conveniences of life”. It was only Mathus and

Richards who create an alarm about the efforts of population

growth of population in Western Europe has led its rapid

industrialization, population growth has helped the growth of

2
such economics because they are wealthy, have abundant

capital and scarcity of labour. In such state, the supply curve

of labour is elastic to the individual sector so that even a high

growth rate of population has led to rapid increase in gross

national population.

While on the other hand, the effects of population growth

on the development of economically less developed state are

not quite the same because the condition prevailing in these

states are quite different from those in development

economics. These economics are poor, capital scare and

labour abundant population growth has been seen as an

obstacle to economic development in them.

Rapid population growth increases the pressure of

population on land and leads to mass unemployment in

economically less developed state.

The problem of feeding teeming millions becomes serious.

Even the need to provide social infrastructure to the masses

tends to divert public expenditure from directly productive

assets. There is a great pressure on education and health

facilities which are not adequately met population pressure

3
also tend to accentuate. The balances of payments problems,

foods, consumer, goods, raw materials, capital equipment, etc.

are required to be imported to be meet the ever increasing

demand of growing population. Therefore, rapid population

growth depresses per-capital formulations, lower the standard

of living and bring down the rate capital formations.

Hirschman adds up with the views of the consequences

of population growth on living standard. He wrote population

growth pressure i.e. activity designed to maintain or restore

tradition standard of living in the community which “causes

an increase in its ability to control its environment and to

organize itself for development”. Collin Clark also hold similar

views when he writes that “population growth brings economic

hardship to communities living by traditional methods; but it

is only force powerful enough to make such communities

change their methods and in the long run to transform them

into much more advanced to support this views in relation to

economically less developed state”. But these do not add to

show that population growth on economic development has no

4
advance effects, while on the other hand population growth

accelerates development.

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The major problem of the topic which I undergone

research for its which is the effect of population growth on

economic development in urban areas.

It is a clear fact that most Nigeria urban areas are

uncommitted with problems of population growth, which

affects their development in their areas, the problems are:

Create difficulty of government to cope with the

government to participate fully into the construction of

incentive: they will spoil due to the population development or

population or population growth which will affect their

economic development.

1.3 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study is to find the extent to which

increase in family size, affect population growth. Specifically,

the study would be of considerable interest from the

theoretical point of view. Another objective of this research is

to find out those things that make or affect the population

5
growth in our economic development which is to be in urban

area, because it is all known that the growth of any country or

society population will lead to a particular country is always

gwowing up, and its production is yet not increasing them,

they will be under-develop or if the population of any country

is high then what its produc is yet facing the problem of

development.

1.4 HYPOTHESIS

The basis of hypothetical analysis in this project would

be a unique one such that it would be tested and would be

based on suggestion.

Illustration regarding the testing of the theories collected

i. That the real causes of migration is not population

increase but poor government policies which favours

urban areas.

ii. Whether the female child birth is greater/higher than

the male child birth.

1.5 SCHEME OF CHAPTERS

This project has five chapters, the first chapter gives the

general introduction to the research, it covers general

6
introduction, statement of problems, aims and objectives of

the study, scope and limitation of the study and hypothesis.

Chapter two consist of the literature review, chapter three

discuss the methodology used in the conduct of the research,

this involves introduction, research, design, method of data

collection, method of data analysis. Chapter four is the

presentation and analysis of data as well as the finding of the

study

Chapter five consists of summary, conclusion and

recommendations.

7
 CHAPTER TWO

2.0 A REVIEW OF LITERATURE

2.1 INTRODUCTION

Since the end of the World War II, the Sokoto north local

government has experienced a rapid increase in population,

mostly at the urban centre’s, and especially in the developing

countries as a consequence of economic development. The

effect of population growth varies in between countries

irrespective of their widely increasing family size. The question

of “population explosion” have occupied the attention of states

men and philosophers since ancient times, but it is only

recently that scholars have attempted to investigate

systematically the factors responsible for population growth or

decline and the specific institutions and human welfare.

2.2 THE POLITICAL ECONOMIC APPROACH

The 19th century political economist of the “right wing”

and “centre” engaged in involutes reasoning and wages level

supply of capital, agricultural stability, marginal utility, use of

natural resources and standard of living one of them claimed

8
to be particularly interested in demographic phenomena, but

they did recognize condition and they variables.

i. In the socialist viewpoint, Kari Max for instance, took

the position that is no such thing as over population.

Rather, an appearance of over population attribute to

the deliberate creation by the capitalist class of

surplus labour force. In this way the threat of

unemployment hung over the head of the workers who

are thus more readily exploited.

Similarly anti-capitalist reasoning continues via the

allegation that the term “population explosion” should be

preceded by the qualified “so called” because a 2% increase in

the world population is far from catastrophic. Acknowledging

that world food production currently fails to meet this

population increase J.O Bernal argues that a 2% annual

increase in world food population “is well the bounde

achievable with present techniques” if only we do things right.

In 1965 Boris Urlanis, a research worker at the institute

of economics of U.S.S 12 academic of science urged a

reconsideration of the classic Marxist view regarding the cause

9
of population problems in economically less developed

countries.

ii. THE ISLAMIC APPROACH

To the Islamic thinkers and philosophers, the question of

population growth should not be associated with food supply.

Moral restraints or preventive checks. Mathus stated in his

essay, the principle of controversial issues in defining

economic growth and population growth (mannan divided) the

issue of population growth into two school of thoughts. One

look with favour of the other ideas of birth control and the

other does not. The opponent of birth control argue that

motivated by economic considerations, people generally adopt

the method by birth control as the problem of food and space

are closely related with the birth is un-Islamic citing the verse

from the holy Qu’ran which says “sky not your children,

fearing a fall to poverty, we shall provide for them and for you

lo! The saying of them is a great sin”. They try to establish that

Allah being the creator of mankind supplies the food and other

necessities of life according to our needs. Any other attempt to

control birth artificially is, therefore an act of disbelieving in

10
Gods blessing the present problem of food they argued that, is

an artificial phenomenon and is bound to disappear if sincere

effort are made.

2.3 POPULATION GROWTH AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

There are these aspects that need to be looked at when

considering the effects of population growth on economic

development. The latter can mean different things, different

people, and while to others it means that national economiy

saves and invest more from the annual gross nation product

G.D.P. it is not necessary to decide which of these views is

more correct, for all manifestation of economic development

are associated with higher output over head of the population.

The three aspects referred to above are

a. The population size

b. Its growth rate

c. Its age of distribution

One of the most stubborn tendencies in popular about

population is to refer to countries or region as over populated

or under populated. Element logic suggested that these must

be also a state where population has optimum size. In the

11
present states of affairs nothing is easier than to show how

impossible it is to argue that density alone is a major factor in

determining economic propensity. No matter how it is

measured, density is high and low in the state they are poor

and rich without the slightest systematic tendency.

It is quite possible that in very sparsely settled states, a

large population would be better able to avail itself of its

natural resources. There would be facilitated by greater

density or settlement, cost will be lesser.

2.4 POPULATION POLICIES IN NIGERIA

Population policies can narrowly be defined “as an

organized effort by government to affect population sizes

growth, distribution or structure. However, it is believed that

many people say that a broader definition is more appropriate

because the narrow definition ignore the fact that government

action taken for demographic reasons may have major

demographic consequences.

A broader definition then would include all government

policies and actions that effect, either directly or indirectly the

demographic process.

12
 A national population policy is therefore essentially the

response of a government in particular Nigeria social

condition. Broadly, such a policy deliberately seeks to change

the number and growth rate of population, it composition or

distribution.

The degree to which government is able or willing to deal

with population problem varies widely internal, social and

political condition dictate issues of human fertility, it may even

be difficult to determine whether or not a population policy

exist in various countries.

Finally, forcing people to adopt any family planning

measure may not yield ground, but a long term, effective grass

roots campaign of public enlightenment emphasizing the need

for smaller families, the care and management pf their house

hold. And basic health, hygienic and nutritional practices will

prepare the way for voluntary population control method.

Though even the campaign may not be complete because “the

grassroots” population may be from suspicious of what the

cynically call “government rubbish” such effort require

13
dedication, sensitivity and persistence if any in the roads are

to be made.

2.5 RELATED PROBLEMS AND RELEVANCE OF

POPULATION GROWTH

The population factor is of course only element in the

development process, but it can be an important one

especially for the long run success of a nation’s economy.

Some minimum population is needed for any worth,

while structural transformation of the economy. However a

very high rate of population growth can also make it very

difficult to achieve certain structural changes in the economics

to increase the investment rate, to raise the savings and even

promote social stability.

But what population level and what growth rate from

that level may be regarded as optional are questions which do

not admit of easy or direct answer because they depend on the

available techniques of population, the extent of natural

endowment and efficiency of social organization apart from the

qualitative dimension of population itself.

14
 Furthermore, a sizable of population is often

advantageous for realization of economic scale, but every large

population is not necessarily on unmitigated blessing. A large

population and a high level of effective demand may not be

conterminous.

And the fact that historically a large level of economic

growth was accompanied by a noticeable growth of population

may affect the critical interviewing factors of capital stock

growth technological improvement and greater managerial skill

“failure to recognize the importance of these intervening

factors can lead to confusion of cause and affect between

population growth and economic development”.

2.6 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF NATIONAL

POPULATION COMMISSION

THE NATIONAL POPULATION COMMISSION

The type of institutional arrangement it very important

for the outcome of a census exercise.

A permanent, centralized, independent body which has

full control over all aspects of the census has definite

advantages over an ad box body which is constituted each

15
time census is planned. As noted earlier, decree 23 of 1989

established the national population commission (NPC) as

“body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal

consisting of a chairman seven other members, a secretary

and a Director-General (who shall be an ex-official members)

who should be appointed by the president of the federation

continuity of this census organization, the NPC. Which is

assured by the decree underscores the census as a

continuous and not an ad box exercise.

The NPC operates like an independent ministry of the

federation. The chairman is Alhaji shehu Musa, CFR, Makuma

Nupe. After the 1991 census the personnel of its various

departments will continue with their job to ensure continuity

only enumerates and their supervisors who number in the

thousands are each census exercise. Another feature of the

national population commission is the commissioners are

appointed on their personal merits they are, therefore not

representatives of states and, as such are free to discharge

their assignment of census taking without favouring any state

or any local government area for what ever reason. At present,

16
the commissioners are vice admiral H. abdullahi (Rtd), present

R.K Udo, Otunba V.A Oduntan, Hajiya Toma B. Ibrahim,

Alhaja Dahiru, mr bolus A. Gwani, lieutenant clonel chris

Ugokwe (Rtd), Mr. Oludasi Daramola, director and Mr. W.T.M

Okechukwu, Secretary to the commission.

The commission further reinforces the independent

nature of the commissioners by placing them in each of seven

zones into which the country has been divided for the census

taking the zonal divisions are that they group under one

commissioners supervision, a number of state, as follows:

Zone 1- Borno, Kano and Kastina states

Zone 2- Bauchi, Gongola and Benue States

Zone 3- Akwa-ibom, cross river, Rivers and Imo States.

Zone 4- Bendel and Anambra States.

Zone 5- Ondo, Lagos, Osun and Abuja states

Zone 6- Sokoto, Kaduna and plateus States.

Each of the zones is supervised by a commissioner whose

area of origin is outside the supervisory zone.

The major functions of commission include the following:

17
a. To undertake the enumeration of the population of

Nigeria periodically, through census, sample surveys

or otherwise.

b. To establish and maintain a machinery for continues

and universal registration of birth and death through

the federation.

c. To collect, collate and polish data on migration

statistics.

d. To prepare and maintain a national frame work for the

delineation exercise for census and sample surveys.

e. To search and monitor the national population p[olicy

and set up a national population information data

bank

f. To arrange for the appointment and training of

enumerators and all other categories of staff of the

commission.

g. To provide information and data on population for

purposes of facilitating national planning and

economic development.

18
 h. To advise the federal government on population and

population n related programmed and problems

i. To disseminate information and educate the general

public about the commission under decree 23 of 1989,

and

j. To do all such things as may be considered by the

commission to be necessary, desirable, capable, and

supplementary or incidental, to the performance of the

functions or the exercise of the powers conferred on

the commission.

2.7 DEPARTMENTS OF THE NATIONAL POPULATION

COMMISSION (NPC)

Beside the chairman and seven commissioners there are

other personnel of the commission organized in eight

department. They are as follows:

1. Personnel management
2. Planning and research
3. Finance and supply
4. Vital registration
5. Population statistics
6. Cartography

19
 7. Computer and

8. Public affairs.

In addition, there are three service units, namely office of

the secretary to the commission, internal audit and transport

unit

2.8 VITAL REGISTRATION

Vital registration is an important complement of census

in population data gathering. Therefore a short description of

it is included here. Vital registration(that is the registration of

major landmarks in life events including births, marriage and

deaths) is one of the four major sources of collecting

demographic data. The others are census, sample surveys and

administrative records. In 1979, the federal government

promulgated decree 39 for the establishment of a compulsory

registration of birth and deaths throughout the state. This

decree was to take effect from 1st September, 1979. Prior to

the promulgation of this decree, registration of births and

deaths had been in existence in many state capitals and major

towns, without subjecting the data collected to any statistical

analysis. This exercise is as old as the census itself. However,

20
there has been no coordination of these efforts at any level.

With the inauguration of the former national population

commission in 1981 the responsibility of establishing the vial

registration system on a nation-wide basis as stipulated in the

constitution was taken up by the commission.

In 1985, a work plan was drawn up with technical

assistance from the united nation fund for population

activities (UNFPA) to start the project on an experimental

basis, with subsequent phase of expansion. A united nations

adviser on vital registration was made available to the

commission who assisted the vital statistics and migration

department in working out the modalities of executing the

project. The experimental phase are in two stages:

1. The urban experimental phase: was carried out in four

urban local government area of four states, carefully

selected on the basis of their geographical location.

These are Anambra in the South east, Oyo in the South-

West, and Kano in the North and Plateau in the middle-

belt.

21
 The four urban L.G.A.S are mostly in the state capital

these are Kano municipality which was later split into three

(Delta, Nassarawa and Kano municipal), Jos, Enugu and

Ilesha at the time these LGAS were chosen, consideration was

given to those that had been completely demarcates for

possible estimation of baseline population. Incidentally,

Ibadan municipal LGA is mostly in Oyo state had not been

demarcated, therefore, Ilesha urban Lga was selected, instead.

The first phase of the project took off 1st July 1988 and

covered four rural LGAs, in the same four states. These local

government areas are Idemili in Anambra, Jahun in Kano

state, Keffi in plateau state and Kajola in Oyo State. A total of

33 registration centres were eventually in operation in the

second phase the success of the experimental phase will

determined how the vital registration project will be introduced

to all parts of country.

LEGAL FRAME WORK

One of the major steps taken so for to ensure the success

of the 1991 census is as noted, the promulgation of decree 23

of 1989 which established the commission. Section 17 to 25 of

22
the decree stipulated stiff penalties for state governments,

personnel of NPC, individual Nigeria citizens and cooperate

bodies that contravene any of the census regulations or fail to

cooperate with enumerators.

State governments are prohibited from discussing he

population figures of a state specifically with regard to state

governments, the decree stipulated that:

1. Anyone involve in a meeting of a state government

where such a discussion or debate taken place will be

liable to imprisonment for period of five years without

option of a fine.

2. The people who table the population of a state for

discussion in a meeting of a state government are

liable to the same jail term of five years without option

of a fine.

3. The person who releases the population figures of a

state without authority is also liable to five

imprisonments without option of a fine.

The decree also prohibits unauthorized release of

information by personnel of the commission it provides that

23
the following offences will attract a fine of N10,000 or

imprisonment for three years or both fine and imprisonment.

They are:

i. Punishing or communicating information obtained in

the normal course of duty without authority.

ii. Possessing and publishing information obtained

unlawfully.

iii. Contravening one’s oath of office in carrying out the

commission’s assignment.

Several provisions pertaining to individual citizens who

are to be enumerated includes:

i. Refusal to supply information

ii. Refusal to be counted

iii. Encouraging multiple counting

iv. Refusing enumerators access to premises

v. Destruction of documents

vi. Unlawful communication

The decree prohibits refusal information. Thus, refusal to

participate in the population count is prohibited. A fine of

N500 or six months jail term or both fine and imprisonment

24
await a person found guilty of such offences other specific

offences include:

i. Refusal to be thumb-printed with indelible ink after

being counted attracts similar punishment.

ii. Rubbing off the indelible ink on the thumb during the

period of enumeration attracts similar punishment.

Multiple counting of an individual is prohibited. The

following offences attracts a fine N10,000 or imprisonment for

three years or both fine and imprisonment.

i. Presenting oneself to be counted more than once, or

misleading an official into counting oneself more than

once; specific in (i) above.

The commission has power to enter premises; dwelling

house, land conclusion or vessel for the purpose of census

exercise. Hindering or obstructing any duly authorized person

from entering any such premises, or residence attracts a fine

of N500 or imprisonment for six months or both. Unlawful

destruction of official document attracts a fine of N10,000 or

imprisonment for a term of three years or both specific offence

include:

25
 i. Destroying defacing or mutilating any official form,

notice document containing census data.

ii. Destroying or defacing markers or stickers used for

house numbering for the census exercise.

The following provisions are made to forestall census

migration:

i. Anyone who lives usual place of residence during the

census period for another place with aimed of been

counted in the latter location is liable, if convicted, to a

fine of N1,000 or imprisonment for 12 months or both

the fine and imprisonment.

ii. Anyone who participates in organizing a movement of

persons from their usual place of residence to another

for the purpose mentioned above is liable to the same

punishment.

Decree 23 also prohibits all corporate bodies, that is

companies, firms and partnerships from engaging in any of the

offences mentioned above. Specific provisions with regard to

corporations include the following:

26
 i. If any of the offences enumerated above is committed

by a company, then every director and officer,

convicted, will be liable to a fine of N500 each or

imprisonment for six months or both.

ii. If the organization is a partnership then every partner

is liable to conviction to a fine of N2,000 each or

imprisonment for 18 months or both the fine and

imprisonment.

2.9 NPCS COMMITMENT TO SUCCESSFUL CENSUS

EXERCISE

The NPC has demonstrated its commitment to achieving

a successful census in 1991 and beyond. According to the

current chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa, CFR, Makama Nupe,

the Commission has taken several measures to ensure to

success of the 1991 census. These include the following:

1. Division of country into seven zones for easy

administration.

2. Adoption of the local government area as the manageable

unit of operation.

27
 3. Demarcation of the entire country into about 250,000

enumeration areas each comprising a population of

between 400 and 650 persons;

4. Recruitment and training of capable staff.

5. Reorganization of the commission in accordance with the

civil service reforms to ensure continuity of census

operations inn this country.

6. Computerization and decentralization of the process of

census taking.

7. Acquisition of adequate and up to date maps.

8. Conduct of census pretests to find out area that still need

more attention.

9. Enlisting the assistance of the Army, Navy, Air force and

Police for assistance in solving census logistics problems

especially in area with in accessible and difficult terrain.

10. Creation of a public Affairs Department as part of the

Commission’s efforts to gain public confidence.

We should all therefore co-operate in our various ways to

enhance the success of the forth coming exercise.

28
2.10 CENSUS IN NIGERIA

CENSUS EXPERIENCE IN NIGERIA

Nigeria as a nation came into existence in 1914 when

northern and southern protectorates were amalgamated under

British Colonial rule to form one single country. All the

censuses taken before 1921 were necessarily limited to a few

parts of the country. the history of the census at the time is

very interesting and shows that it has not been easy, at any

time, to get an accurate number of the people in this country.

Under the census ordinance of 1863, the first census

recorded in any part of the country took place in 1866 and

covered only the Lagos area. The next was in 1871 and

marked the beginning of decennial census in the country.

Following the British tradition of taking censuses in years

ending with “I”, other censuses of the Sokoto north colony and

its surrounding area following g in 1881, 1891 these early

attempts to conduct the census of the population of the

Sokoto north colony were mainly unsuccessful. According to

H.M Thompson who was then the acting assistance district

officer.

29
 Reasons for this are not far to seek census-taking

depends for its success, above all, on the willing cooperation of

the people counted and that cooperation is extremely difficult

to obtain in Sokoto north. Among the illiterates in Sokoto

north there has always been present a fear that the census

will be used as a basis for a new assessment, and will result in

an increase in taxation, no assurance given by the government

has been quite sufficient to eradicate his fear. The people in

Sokoto north also, in common with most Nigeria tribes were

reluctant to record the names and number of their families

and especially of the children, as they believed it is unlucky to

do so”.

THE CENSUS OF THE NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN NIGERIA

In 1906, Lagos colony was merged with the then

protectorate of southern Nigeria. Consequently, the census of

1911 covered the whole what was then know as southern

Nigeria. It was organizes from government houses, Zungoro to

fulfill the desire of great British to have an idea of the

population in her empire. Unfortunately, insurrection in the

north and hostility in the south marred the census exercise.

30
This was not a true census in that house to house count only

took place in eleven main parts, while only estimate of the

population were made for the rest of the southern provinces

and entire northern protectorate

1. THE 1921 CENSUS

It was the 1921 census that covered the whole country,

following the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914. Three years

after the amalgamation a census ordinance was passed on

October 25, 1917 under which the 1921 census was

conducted. Dr. P. Amaury Taibot conducted the census in

southern Nigeria. It was conducted in two parts. One of the

towns called the township census and the other for the rest of

the country called the provincial census in the township

census thirteen townships were enumerated, it was conducted

in one day yielded fairly accurate result. The provincial census

spread over a period of months it was hindered by several

difficulties, two of which according to Taibort added ten

percent to his result to take care of an obvious undercount.

Meek who conducted the census of northern Nigeria in 1921

also pointed out the inaccuracy of the figures. According to

31
meek: “whilst it is not pretended that he count made for the

natives in the provinces was anything more than

approximately accurate, the statistics nevertheless furnish a

great amount of valuable information”.

2. THE CENSUS OF 1931

In 1931, there was an attempt to take another census of

the whole country. Unfortunately due to economic depression

at the time, locust invasion in the north and tax riots in Aba,

Onitsha and Owerri during 1929-30, the census did not,

again, whole country rather, actual counting of persons took

place only in Lagos and five other townships, in two place only

in Lagos and five other townships, in two hundred and one

villages in Sokoto north, and for all foreign population in the

state at the time. For all other persons and places, an estimate

of the population was derived existing tax returns and records.

These difficulties made the census of 1931 a very difficult and

unsuccessful exercise, so that according to Brooke; “the

census of Northern provinces finally becomes a mere

compilation of existing data and the result was only of a

provisional character”.

32
 In sum the two censuses (those of 1921 and 1931) which

followed the amalgamation felt for short, for various reasons,

of being true censuses, they fell far short of universal

coverage, and only in few places were actual enumerations

conducted. Census figures were derived from ethnological and

historical enquires and from tax records. Additional drawback

of these census were of administrative and financial nature

the colonial administrators lacked expertise in census-taking

while the colonial censuses cost, on the average, a dismal ¼

farthing per head (Brooke, 1933). The 1931 census, in

particular, was adversely affected by world-wide economic

depression and shortage of administrators especially in the

Sokoto north were administrators were deployed from census

duties to perform anti-locust activities.

Thus, from 1866 to 1931, the census were largely

inaccurate as they did not meet all the accepted

characteristics of a census which, as we did not meet all the

accepted characteristics of a census which, as we noted

earlier, are individual enumeration, universality

simultaneously and defined periodicity.

33
3. THE 1951/53 CENSUS; FIRST MODERN CENSUS

The Second World War interrupted the series of decennial

census conducted in year ending with “1” however, the

1951/53 census has been acclaimed as the first modern,

national and carefully, planned census in Nigeria. But in order

to allow the department of statistics to handle the great

volume of data generated, the principle of simultaneous

counting of population was abandoned and the census period

was staggered to take place at various times between 1950

and 1953.

The census of Lagos was to be conducted between 1950

and 1951, and was used as a trial, to test the suitability of the

new method to be used. The census of Northern Nigeria was

taken between May and July 1952. Person resident in the west

and the Mid-west were counted in December 1952 and

January 1953, while the census was conductor in the East in

May, June and August 1953. In all the exercise was a great

improvement on previous census in that it covered the whole

country. It was staggered throughout the country in order as

mentioned earlier to enable the department of statistics to

34
conveniently handle the very amount of data generated from

the vast of Nigeria. However, the differences in timing meant

that data obtained from one region could not strictly be

compared with data from any other region.

Furthermore, the 1952/53 census also suffers from a lot

of other inadequacies. Although the country was more

developed economically and socially than in the years before

the Second World War, many Nigerians still remained

suspicious of the motives for the census. Many persons did

not readily agree to have their wives and children counted, at

the time, was a measure of a man’s wealth. It was suspected

that the census would enable the tax collectors to demand

heavier taxes from persons who had many wives and children.

There were others who held the superstitious belief that the

census brought ill-luck, famine, or misfortune. In addition,

some people regarded the census as a means of providing the

names of persons to be conscripted into the army.

By that time (1952-1953), the three which made up the

country namely, Northern, Western and eastern, were getting

ready for some degree of internal self-government from the

35
colonial administration. In preparation for elections into

federal house of representatives the data from the `1952/1953

census were used as the basis for allocating 50%

representation to the north. This action by the colonial

administrators was fiercely contested by politicians from the

southern regions (East and West). They argued that the

colonial government had deliberately and falsely increased the

number of people in the north in order to ensure that the

political control in the country remained with the politician

who favoured the British colonialists.

Gradually, from 1952 onwards, the people became aware

that political power arising from the number of elected

members of parliament or local councils as well as the

allocation of government amenities, such as schools, hospitals,

pipe-borne water and electricity depended largely on the size of

the population.

Since Nigeria attained independence in 1960, the

population of each region or state has become an important

yardstick for deciding how states. The recorded size of the

population of each state according to census data is, therefore,

36
a crucial factor in determining, in political and economic terms

the relative importance of each state. It is, therefore, not

surprising that the more literate persons as well as political

leaders have become very interested in, and enthusiastic

about the political and monetary value of population census in

Nigeria. Hence, in subsequent census after the 1952/53

census exercise, the elites in each political unit tried to ensure

not only that all their own people were counted, but also that

they were counted two or more times, if possible, in order to

record as high a figure as could be achieved. This unfortunate

mixture and confusion of political issues with population

count was mainly responsible for the problems encountered in

the 1962/63 and 1973 censuses.

The problem that contributed to the inaccuracy and

incompleteness of census figures in Nigeria also include

shortage of qualified personnel to undertake actual house-to-

house enumeration, shortage of funds, problem with

communication, such as in the riverine areas, and suspicious

arising from the mass illiteracy. When as we discussed

already, political and monetary considerations are added to

37
these other problems, we then see why interference which led

to the cancellation of the data from he 1962 and 1973

exercises.

4. THE 1962 CENSUS

The 1962 census covered the whole country and was

taken simultaneously in May. A great deal of publicity was

given to the census in order to educate the public about the

importance of the census.

Unfortunately, great emphasis was placed on the fact

that government amenities and the number of parliamentary

seats allotted to each region depends on population size. For

example, according to the then Nigeria outlook (published in

Enugu) of 1 May 1962, the premier of the eastern region

launched the census publicity campaign by stating that “on it

(the census) will be based future legislative representations,

sitting of industries and provision of amenities” (Udo, 1980).

The census count thus, become a political rather than a

statistical exercise and the results were not acceptable to all

the regional government s in the federation in 1962, Nigeria

was a federation of three region governed by three political

38
parties each of which drew its support largely from one major

ethnic group. Consequently a shift in the distribution of

population was of vital importance in the balance of political

and by inference, economic power among the regions. Given

this lack of social integration and the fear of ethnic

domination, there were rumours, long before the census

results wee made public, that the census totals had been

inflated in certain regions. In the end, the controversies led the

cancellation of the census.

5. THE 1963 CENSUS

Another census followed in 1963 and federal government

accepted the results without further reference to the regional

government. Despite better preparations and the hiring of

more enumerators, figures from the hurriedly executed 1963

recount.

6. THE 1973 CENSUS

The 1973 census was conducted from 25th November to

2nd December by the then national census board which had

been specially set up for the purpose. As one might imagine, a

great deal of preparatory work was carried out order reduce or

39
avoid altogether the short-comings of the 1962 and censuses

and to ensure that the figures would be acceptable to the

federal and state government. Unfortunately, there were

reports that figures were inflated in some state. Eventually,

the census was also cancelled after the enumeration stage and

so no data were published. The 1962, 1963 census stammed

from over enthusiasm displayed by the populace due to

misinformation on the use of the census and economic gains

of the constituent parts of the federation. Salient features of

the census, 1866 to 1973, are presented in tabular form in

appendix 1.

The contents of the census schedules have also increased

from questions on five personal characteristics, “age”, “adult”,

“non adult”, “extent of education”, “region”, and “occupation”

which were contained in the questionnaire for the 1921

census to the fifteen items included in the 1973 census. Items

included in the 1973 census are “home place”, “age”, “sex”,

“relationship to head of household”, “marital status”,

“literacy”, “school attendance”, “educational attainment”,

40
“national and /or ethnic group”, “language”, “religion”,

employment status”, “occupation” and “industry”.

In general, excluding the earliest census of Lagos, there

has been an attempt, beginning with the 1921 census to make

census universal throughout Nigeria. Up till the 1951/53

census, scant attention was paid to the principle of

simultaneous counting. This shortcoming was overcome

during the 1962 census and subsequent ones. Attempt to

adhere to the principle of defined periodicity began earlier on

in the 19th century. Between 1871 and 1931, censuses were

taken in years ending in “1”. The two censuses conducted after

the interruption created by World War II in 1952/53 and

1962/63 took place in year ending with “2” or “3” it appears as

though the 1991 census would begin a new series of censuses

to be conducted in years ending with “1” planning and

organization have also shown remarkable improvement.

Judging from the elaborate delineation of the country into

enumeration Area (AES) and other detailed preparation for the

1973 census. There is still room for more improvement.

41
TOWARDS A RELIABLE CENSUS

From the foregoing review of Nigeria censuses since

1866, several pitfalls and problems, associated with census

taking are reading identifiable. These problems, as highlighted

in the foregoing and summarized in recent publication of the

following:

1. Inadequate time for planning and execution.

2. Taking census as an ad-hoc exercise.

a. Lack of nation framework for proper demarcation and

identification of enumeration areas.

b. Absence of organized training for the large number of

census officers.

c. Lack of experienced professionals in census operation.

d. Dou allegiance on the part of workers employed

e. Incoherence in the membership of the census board

f. Ineffective supervision of field activities

3. Non-availability of essential materials e.g maps for

demarcation of enumeration areas

4. Over-polarization (population has been tied to revenue

sharing and membership of the legislaturest

42
5. Logistics problems inaccessibility of certain parts of the

country and communication difficulties obviously.

Census-taking is a complex undertaking of broad scope

requiring a unique combination of good organization,

administrative huge financial outlay. The large amount of

money which is normally required is, as has been pointed

out, the main reason why the conduct of a census is the

sole responsibility of a national government. It must,

therefore, be emphasized that besides providing legal

backing for the census, the federal military government

needs to provide sufficient funds to the 1991 census, and

to prepare for the next one, ten years from them.

During pre-censal publicity and other promotional

activities the link between population data and political

planning should be emphasizes rather than denied. Census

education offers a way of informing the public on the need for

an accurate national census and the approach is to inform

and indoctrinate the content of such census education consist

of the determinant and consequences of population trends.

The two major promotional activities are the identification of

43
target groups and the choice of appropriate channels of

communication. Appendix 2 shows the relationship between

target groups and the choice of appropriate channels of

communication

Existing public enlightenment programme of government,

particularly mass mobilization for economic recovery, social

justice and self reliance (NOA) National Orientation Agency

should incorporate aspects of population education such that

will appraise the general populace on the importance of

population data for planning, to enable them have responsible

attitude to the census

Population size is one of the criteria utilized in sharing

financial and political power among states. consequently, to

encourage a more balanced attitude to census taking and thus

come as near as humanly possible to an accurate census

population factor should not only be an advantage in the

sharing of resources but it should also be a factor in the

allocation of responsibilities. For example, the amount of

revenue generated in sure state, which is partly a reflection of

44
its population size, should be integrated into the revenue

allocation formula.

A permanent population census institution, the National

Population Commission (NPC) has now been established by

law.

45
 CHAPTER THREE

3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 INTRODUCTION

This chapter discuses the methodology adopted in the

conduct of the research, it shall cover, research design method

of data collection, method of data analysis etc.

3.2 RESEARCH DESIGN

Research design simply deals with the procedure

employed in conducting this study, the research began with

the statement of research problems that guided the

investigation. Hypothesis were also formulated to determine

the relationship between the two or more variables the basic

research method employed for this study is the survey

research method.

3.3 METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION

Information and data used in this project were collected

with the aid of personnel, finance and administrative

departments. At times the interview came about as the

research mingle with interviews and free discussions on the

46
topic ensured in the course of these interviews, a lot of

information was got.

3.4 METHOD OF DATA ANALYSIS

Simple statistical method like construction of tables and

percentage are employed for data analysis. Answers to each

item were converted to percentage by this method; the

researchers will be able to know the items (in their order of

occurrence).

Again the researcher will be in a position to asses and

comment on the extend to which the hypothesis for this study

are reliable or correct.

47
 CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 DATA PRESENTATION AND DATA ANALYSIS

4.1 INTRODUCTION

This chapter is design to present, interpret and analyze

the available data collected, the findings from evidences

collected were based on questionnaires and interviews and

would be clearly stated in analyzing this data it will consist of

sample population of national population census commission,

these earlier stated in chapter one content analysis therefore,

is employed for interpretation of data, as such tables are

provided to verify or dispose hypothesis. As stated earlier the

aim of this research is to find the extend to which increase in

family size effects population growth and its effects on

economic development in rural areas exposes such effect. As a

result sample of two hundred and fifty people. The sample we

drawn from five (5) districts in Sokoto North Local Government

(Dalatul Road, Sokoto Sedimer Kofar Tarauniya, Maniru

Road).

However, out of the two hundred (200) questionnaire

distributed to the people only two hundred (200) were filled,

48
thus if each questionnaire were answered by everyone, as

such there may b e variation with regards to the number of

people that response of the questions provides.

4.2 DATA PRESENTATION

A comparative analysis of population growth of the five

districts has shown that each districts experienced a higher

increase in fertility rate with constant rate growth of 25% in

the same period also witnessed a decline as regards to death

rates. But when we asked our respondents on what reason do

they think could lead to population increase! Most of the

respondents especially the farmer (lower income) and those at

illiterates level states that population could only increase due

to the fact that life is worth living, due to increase in

technological advancement, sufficient food supply which will

motivate one to increase the numbers of his wives and thus

increase in family size only few of the people to the educated

elite and few of the farmers states that early marriage,

ignorance and religious beliefs could lead to increase in family

size.

49
 During an interview with Mallam, staff in the ministry of

economic planning department in Sokoto North. I asked him

to give his reasons about constant increase in population

estimates were been projected at constant rate of growth of

2.5% for rural area and villages and 30% for urban areas and

cities based on political reason, mainly for a state or local

government to enjoy “the share of national cake”. He pointed

out that even in family; one observed that there is a decline

death rate due to improvement of health care services and

campaign on health care delivery. But he fails to understand

that there is negative or positive correction between population

growth and economic development. Stressed that when we

apply negative correction this may result to high death rates in

rural areas and in particular Sokoto State, he indicated that

there is low death rate and constant rate of growth of

population with average rate of economic growth; in rural

areas and in particular Sokoto North Local Government and

the state as a whole. When we asked the respondent to give

advice to the government regarding government policies on

rural-urban migration etc come suggests that it is high time

50
for the government to stop given high concentration to urban

centers. The government should focus their attention on rural

areas since it is the backbone of urban centers, these will also

reduce rural-urban migration and hence urban congestion.

Above all, the respondents clearly stated that people in the

rural areas should not rely on government policies towards

allocation of resources, but should actively participate in with

their counterparts in the urban centers.

Furthermore, the question of population and family

planning in Sokoto North Local Government areas is yet to be

understood due to their religious beliefs and other

superstitious beliefs, that only few of the respondent accepted

the idea of family planning but majority of the respondent see

it as threat to life and against their religious and as a result

could not accept to participate in family planning or even

encourage people to do it, nor could they see it as a policy

towards economic growth or otherwise economic development.

51
4.3 DATA ANALYSIS

The analysis would be based on tabular form, by

considering the response we got from the people by the basis

for research.

Table 4.1

RELIGION NO. OF PERCENTAGES

RESPONDENTS (%)
Muslims 182 82.72%
Christians 30 13.64%
Others traditional - -
Animist religions
TOTAL 220 100%
Source: survey field questionnaire 2015.

The table (see 3.1) represents sample population of the

respondents by religion. This shows that out of two hundred

(200) respondents majority of the sample population are

Muslims representing 82.72% of Sokoto North Local

Government sample survey estimates; while Christian formed

13.64% of the total sample population. Also the believers of

traditional African religion and animist amount to 3.64% of

the total sample, the reason is that most of the people residing

in the Local Government are Muslims, while Christian and

52
other religion came from other location in the state or from Far

East in Local Government Area.

4.4 TEST OF HYPOTHESIS

TEST OF HYPOTHESIS I

1. That the real causes of migration is not population but

poor government policies which favours the urban areas in

Sokoto State (see table 4.2).

Table 4.2

Opinion of the Respondent on Rural Urban Migration

OBSERVATION NO. OF PERCENTAGES

RESPONDENTS (%)
Yes 218 99.09%
No 2 0.91%
TOTAL 220 100%
Source: sample survey field questionnaire 2015

From table (4.2) it can be seen that where as 99.09% of

the respondents saw that causes of migration is due to poor

government policies that favour most of the urban 2% of the

sample population saw it as not true. The reason is that this

has brought a rising expectation of material well being that

combine socio-economic transformation and lead to a faster

pace of population growth and re-distribution these has

53
occurred since the creation of the local government;

accelerated migration from rural areas to the urban centers

where it’s hoped life would be more abundant and work living.

To a larger extend those effects, socio-economic different

in development policies. This has shown that our first

hypothesis as it has been tested the result proved to be true.

However that decision to migration is due to fall in income of

rural population raise in the need for modern commodities

and service, which are not among others lack of sufficient

resources, low concentration of landed property and other

factor of production.

54
Table 4.3

Sample Information on Family size (Number of Wives)

NO. OF WIVES NO. OF PERCENTAGE (%)

RESPONDENTS
None 4 2%
One 22 10%
Two 44 32%
Three 30 35%
Four 20 21%
TOTAL 120 100%
Source: survey field questionnaire 2015.

Considerations were made based on family size

depending in the number of wives for each family. (See table

4.3) it can be see that out of one hundred respondents for

male, 20% constitute those with four wives, mainly the old age

group ranging from 40 years of age and above. However 30% of

the respondents are mostly the adult for those that are not

married.

Furthermore, observation has shown that in rural areas

it is believed that once a person especially women reaches that

age of 12-15 years, she is marriage, while men it is between

the age of 20-25 years the reason is that he need to marry is

55
because, as long as life is worth living or because of religious

beliefs, people tend to get married earlier than expected.

TEST OF HYPOTHESIS II

2. It is important at this stage to make a considerable look

of our second hypothesis for further analysis, this Sokoto

North Local Government: whether the assertion that

female child birth is increasing at higher rate than the

male child birth is true.

When we asked the respondents on their opinion do you

agree that female child birth is higher then that of the male

child birth? This is follows with the question that if the

assertion is true “what is the cause”? (see table 4.4).

Table 4.4

Observation of the respondent whether female child birth

is higher than that of the male child birth.

56
OBSERVATION NO. OF PERCENTAGE (%)

RESPONDENTS
Yes 200 100%
No - -
TOTAL 200 100%
Source: survey field questionnaire 2015.

From (table 4.4) we can see that 100% of the respondents

observed that the female child birth is higher than that of the

male child birth is higher than that of the male child birth.

This shows that none of the respondent could state that he did

not observe such phenomenon.

Table 4.5
Reference of Children by Age Sex (Birth Rate)
POPULATION OF CHILDREN PERCENTAGE (%)
AGE GROUP
1-3 2 4 32% 32.5%
4-6 8 2 9.4% 10%
7-6 5 10 44% 44.6%
10-12 6 5 7.6% 5.6%
13 and above 4 4 7% 7.5%
TOTAL 25 25 100% 100%
Source: survey field questionnaire 2015.

From current estimates of Sokoto North Local

Government 32.5% of female child birth consist of 1-3 years of

age corresponding to 32% as against move child birth.

57
 However, from the table (table 4.5) we observed that there

is a considerable higher rate of female child birth than the

male child birth, from the age of 10-12 years with 7.6% and

5.4% for male respectively. This is the only variation as regard

to our observation the implication is due to the dependency

ratio of women over than men. This has shown that our

second hypothesis as it has been tested prove to be true from

the evidence collected in Sokoto North Local Government. This

is because observation has shown that higher dependency

ratio is acute among women over men.

Looking at the result from the table (see table 4.6) one

observes that the respondent see that it is more appropriate

for women to have only 6-2 children the average. This consists

of 62% of the respondents, the highest.

Furthermore, when asked the question that “at what age

is women expected to stop child bearing”? the respondents

clearly state their reason during our personal interview with

them; that as long as women continue to observes her

menstrual period, she is expected to be capable of producing

58
children, until her childbearing age is over, then she will stop

childbearing (see table 4.6).

Table 4.6

Expected Years for Women to stop Childbearing

EXPECTATION NO. OF PERCENTAGE

RESPONDENTS (%)
25-30 0.0 0.0%
30-35 0.0 0.0%
35-40 12 5.5%
40-45 15 32.25%
45-50 14 53.5%
55-60 6 8.75%
TOTAL 50 100%
Source: survey field questionnaire 2015.

Following the table (see table 4.6) in rural areas the

expected age for women to stop childbearing as pointed out by

the majority of respondent is in between 45-50 years. This

gives 53.5% of the respondents. Although women may

continue to have children as from over table the least

percentage 15 5.5% of childbearing age and 8.7% respectively.

But a situation of 5.5% may be through other control and

could make women to remain fresh and at the same time stop

childbearing. It is often observed that the latter could be

dangerous.

59
4.5 SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS

In the finding of this chapter deals the effect of rural

urban migration, as it affect the rural dwellers negatively due

to poor government policies that favour most of the urban

areas especially in Sokoto State. In the chapter the hypothesis

was tested and the available data collected was analysis on

interviews the hypothesis proves that the real causes of

migration are not population, but poor government policies

which favour the urban areas in Sokoto State.

The use of percentages is employed in order to analyzed

for accuracy and simplicity, the chapter also starts with the

introduction procedures and it proceeds to analyze the effects

of government policies towards rural urban areas.

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 SUMMARY

Chapter one briefly explain the main background of this

research. It also explains the statement of problem; the

objective of the study, justification which is an important

60
phase in carrying out the study, assumption upon which the

hypothesis is based. The scope of the research and finally it

set out the basis which the research is based.

The second chapter mainly reviewed the existing

literature in relation to the importance of human activities,

these include the political economic approach, socialist

approach and Islamic approach. This is followed by the

discussion on the population growth and economic growth; it

further shows population policies in Nigeria some relevance

and problems of population growth as major effects on

economic development. It further shows the historical

background of the National Population Commission.

In chapter three, it simply forms a fundamental aspect of

the research work. It highlights the various techniques

adopted in collecting all the relevant data relating to the topic

it aims at giving the reader a clear understanding of the

research procedure, this include the Research Methodology,

Research design, this simply deals with the statement of

research problem that guided the investigation.

61
 Method of data collection and method of data analysis. In

chapter four the hypothesis was tested and the available data

collected was analyzed using response from questionnaire and

analysis on interviews. The use of percentages is employed in

order to analyzed for accuracy and simplicity.

The chapter also starts with the introduction procedures

and it proceeds to analyzed the effects of government policies

towards rural urban migration.

The chapter also explains on alternative measures and

opinion of the respondents on the issue of increase in

population growth.

Finally, the fifth chapter summarizes the chapter one,

two, three and four conclusion, suggestion or

recommendations that were made with regards to theme of the

research.

5.2 CONCLUSION

A sample population of two hundred (200) people was

drawn from five districts in Sokoto North Local Government.

All the sample were married, unmarried or had married, with

different socio-economic, cultural as well as religious

62
background. A comparative studies has shown that each

district experience a significant increase in population and a

considerable decline in death rate observation has shown that

in rural areas people many early, especially among the youths

from the age of 12-15 years and 20-25 years for female and

male respectively and that marriage tends towards peaceful

co-existence, in rural areas, the average age expected for a

woman to stop childbearing is between 45-50 years, but

women may continue to have more children at the age of 55-

60 years. This could be dangerous leading to birth of

premature children.

It has been observed that female child birth is higher

than the male child birth in rural areas as a result of “natural”

and “God’s” creation. Majority of the people also rejected the

implementation of family planning as it goes against their

religion.

This is reportedly poor government policies into fields of

education, health services, electricity and industrial outlets

etc. In spite of government policies towards rural areas, all

efforts were met in satisfying their needs, there has been the

63
problem of migration from rural-urban areas and this has

been regarded as the dominant problem facing the rural-urban

areas and government.

5.3 RECOMMENDATION

Base on the summary, conclusion of this study, the

following suggestion are made:-

1. A more advance study of this nature should be carried

out on large scale study of the effects of population

growth, economic growth and development, proper

policies and more suitable population measures to be

adopted soonest.

2. The government should participate fully by giving

incentive directly to rural areas. This will reduce the

problems of rural-urban migration.

3. Because there is the assumption that female child birth

is increasing more than the male child birth, as to goes

on there is the tendency that the number of female will

out weight that of the male and hence creating room for

high prostitution because of fewer number of male that

would marry them. And it is obvious that as religious rite

64
 there is the tendency that some women would remain

unmarried and will never get married.

4. However, what is needed in Sokoto is not official birth

control (hence the majority of the people rejected it)

policies aimed at lessening the people’s productivity

capacity but a fundamental transformation of the policies

structure so that economic productivity of the expanding

labour force locally, resulting in improved living

conditions or the majority.

5. The government may allow or impose family planning an

individual who wish and or are willing to practice family

planning and they should be wholly self financed.

6. Finally, a rigorous demographic data of high quality are

also needed for social-economic planning, demographic

parameters for example, fertility, mortality and migration

are crucial factors that must be taken into account in

any development plnning.

65
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M. Z thingan economic development and planning (13th

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M. A. Mannan: Islamic Economic theory and practice (a

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Sokoto State Statistical years Book; ministry of finance and

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