Regional socio-economic disparities in Nigeria : policy implications.
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| Other Authors: | , , |
| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
1987.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Link to ProQuest copy Link to OAKTrust copy |
| Abstract: | In any capitalist economy, regional socio-economic disparities emerge in the course of growth and development. The purpose of this study was to investigate regional disparities in Nigeria from 1970 to 1985 and determine whether regional trends reflect Kuznets' or Myrdal's economic development model. The study was based on the hypothesis that there would be no significant difference among regions for the selected variables. The methodology used descriptive statistics to identify the degree and trend of regional disparities over time. Historically, regional socio-economic disparities in Nigeria evolved during the one-hundred years (1861-1960) of British Colonial administration. Socio-political, administrative, economic, religious, and socio-cultural factors were primarily responsible. The United States of America as a developed country narrowed regional disparities through deliberate countervailing measures by the federal government. Brazil and India as developing countries, on the other hand, experienced widening regional disparity trends. Nigerian statistical data revealed that regional socio-economic disparities did not narrow over time except slightly in those sectors of the economy where the state and/or federal governments had taken deliberate countervailing measures. Lagos State continued to dominate other states in socio-economic growth and development, while Southern states were more developed than their Northern counterparts. Least Significance Difference tests confirmed that wide disparities existed in Nigeria and that Northern states were least developed. This study shows that the tendency in Nigerian regional development trends reflects Myrdal's model and resembles those of India and Brazil. This study proposed two different strategies for regional development. In those states with natural and human resource potentials, the governments should encourage the location of processing and manufacturing plants. In resource-poor states, the governments should focus on socio-political consensus policies that will raise the level of quality of life of individuals within a specific time horizon. Government policies should be aimed towards improving human resources and future incomes of people in every state by emphasizing appropriate and intermediate technologies. |
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| Item Description: | Typescript (photocopy). Vita. |
| Physical Description: | 2 volumes (xxxiv, 467 leaves) : illustrations ; 29 cm |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 436-451). |