1.1 Background of the Study
Over population is a very big threat to the socio-economic development of any given country most especially when the available resources is no where to carter for the needs and yearnings of the people coupled with bad leadership and governance or political instability as found in our country Nigeria. In the present day National Development pace, it is obvious to say that one of the biggest problems faced by any government of the country is the question of how to be able to extend its developmental projects and activities to all angles and entire members of the country, and their failure to do this, bring about negative influences and criticism to such a government or regime and also poses some constraints to the development of the country and yet the Nigeria’s population keeps increasing beyond the control of the government, as a result of these, Nigeria has been characterized with low standard of living, low quality of education, lack of social welfare packages, low per-capital income among others which are very harmful to the socio-economic development of the country and its reputation in the international communities.
Today, population has become one of the most controversial factors that are always given a special consideration in the socio-economic developmental plan of every country in the world. As many countries of the world may have different levels of population, our country Nigeria has been re-cognized world wide as one of the most populated countries of the world. But all the same, it is important to point out here that the level of the population of any country must have both negative and positive on the developmental level of such a country.
Population in Nigeria is always used in the allocation of seats and many other developmental benefits and consideration which has now made our population census to becomes a very strong political instrument used by various ethnic groups in achieving their political objectives.
1.2 Statement of the Study
The Nigeria’s over population has brought about many problems in the country which if not checked on time, may turn the country into a hell fire. The problems include:
1.3 Objective of the Study
The basic aim and objectives of this research project is mainly focused on the following areas:
1.4 Research Questions
This research project is designed to answer the following questions:
1.5 Significance of the Study
1.6 Scope of the Study
The scope of this project is to carefully assess the impact of over population in the socio-economic development of Nigeria with Osisioma Ngwa Local Government as a case study. This study will also cover Aba town and various categories of people who live in it who will provide us well information which would be used in making conclusion and recommendations on this work.
1.7 Limitation of the Study
In a very large country like Nigeria and its large territory and population size, the researcher could not extend his research to all areas of the country rather it was limited to Osisioma Ngwa Local government area in Abia state as a result of the following reasons.
Finance: The money required for transportation into all the areas of the country and for searching every articles and information on the internet and libraries was too much to be provided by the researcher during the course of the research exercise.
Poor Communication: Many people who the researcher tried to interview in that town were not from his tribe and they found it difficult to communicate with English and this led to lost of information.
Lack of Interest by People: Many people were not interested while some others felt bias in responding to the questions, some claimed to be very busy and unable to give the necessary attention, and this led to lack of information.
Time Frame: The time given for the completion of this project work was not enough for a detailed research in a topic like this considering so many other things that needed similar if not equal attention such as term papers/report writing tests and even the examination.
1.8 Definition of Terms
Population: The term population can be defined as the total number of people who reside in a particular area at a given period of time.
Over Population: Over population means in a situation where the population of a country is higher than the available resources.
Optimum Population: This is that type of population which is exactly equal to the available resources of the country.
Under Population: This is a population which is less than the available resources of the country.
Impact: The term impact has to do with the rate of change which something has on another thing.
Development: Development according to professor Ollawa’s point of view (1981) is an all encompassing multi-dimensional process involving man in his political, economic, socio-cultural and psychological relations among others, in his effort to master and subjugate nature and natural forces of his environment to ensure improved living.
Census: The term census means a process through which the total number of people living in a particular place is determine at a given period of time.
Political/Census Population: This is a type of population obtained from the conduction of census which is believed to has increased or reduced in other to meet the political objectives of one ethnic group or the other, especially during the allocation of political seats, resources or developmental package.
Population Growth: This simple means the rate at which the population of a country increases from time to time with regards to their available resources.
Socio-Economic Development: In the words of Okoro, U.G and Kemjika, C.A (2006:9), social development means the total positive transformation of social norms, social institutions and social organisations of a society. It also involves access to qualitative education, cultural transformation, religious tolerance, healthy political process buttressed by mass political participation, political stability, respect for human rights, adherence to constitutionalism and respect for rule of law, ethnic tolerance and harmony.
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