The Impact of Urbanisation on Social and Economic Life of Nigeria Federal Capital Territory and Environs

Abstract

The search for employment and business opportunities has given rise to population of heterogenic urban towns in Nigeria. This study examined the perceptions of the residents of Federal Capital Territory and its environs on impact of urbanisation on the social and economic life of people. A questionnaire was developed by the researcher and administered to 120 residents randomly selected from FCT metropolis and the sub-urban. 95 residents made up of 52 from metropolis and 43 from sub-urban fully completed and returned the questionnaires. Data generated from the questionnaire were analysed using t-test statistics and hypotheses drawn were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study found no significant statistical difference between FCT metropolis and its sub-urban in food supply, employment opportunities, social life, and transportation, availability of accommodation, environmental life and provision of educational services. However, marginal mean differences were observed in each of the social and economic variables. The metropolis had relatively higher supply of water, better means of transportation, and provision of educational services than the sub-urban.  On the other hand, the sub-urbans are negligibly better in provision of employment, social life, availability of accommodation for people and environmental life than the metropolis. The paper recommended that the urban planning should be extended to the sub-urbans to decongest the metropolis as well as provide basic amenities to control growth of slums.