Comparative analysis of the effect of demographic dynamics and urbanization in Nigeria: an implication for future

Ayodeji J. Kupoluyi, Joseph Ayo Babalola University
Kolawole E. Odusina, Joseph Ayo Babalola University
Babatunde Gbadebo, Joseph Ayo Babalola University

Nigeria has over 140 million people with annual growth rate of 3.2 percent. Urban population is growing at an average of 5-7 percent annually (NPC 2006). Three factors were recognized for rapid urbanization: (1) migration from rural areas to urban areas; (2) increase in natural population and (3) reclassification of former rural areas as urban areas. The objective of the study is to analyze the effect of demographic dynamics on urbanization. Comparative analysis was based on the 1991 and 2006 Nigeria National Population Census. It was found that most urban areas were growing at a rate faster than their total population. Access to better jobs, education, health care system, and other social amenities were responsible for the increase. Spreading of benefits of development from big cities to smaller centers by decentralization, better governance and transfer of resources and authority from federal to state and local areas was recognized as a problem.