 VEGETATION
In line with the rainfall distribution, a wetter south and a drier northern
half, there are two broad vegetation types: Forests and Savanna. There are
three variants of each, running as near parallel bands east to west across
the country. Forests Savanna Saline water swamp Guinea Savanna Fresh water
swamp Sudan Savanna Tropical (high) evergreen Sahel Savanna
Rainforest
There is also the mountain vegetation of the isolated high plateau regions
on the far eastern extremes of the country (Jos, Mambilla, Obudu).
The savanna, especially Guinea and Sudan, are the major grains, grasses,
tubers, vegetable and cotton growing regions.
The Tropical evergreen rain forest belt bears timber production and forest
development, production of cassava; and plantation growing of fruit trees
- citrus, oil palm, cocoa, rubber, among others.
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POPULATION
& LABOUR FORCE
Nigeria is famous for her huge population of about 120 million people -
the largest national population on the African continent. This population
is made up of about 374 pure ethnic stocks. Three of them, Hausa, Ibo and
Yoruba are the major groups and constitute over 40 per cent of the population.
In fact, about 10 ethnic linguistic groups constitute more than 80% of the
population: the other large groups are Tiv, Ibibio, Ijaw, Kanuri, Nupe,
Gwari, Igala, Jukun, Idoma, Fulani, Edo, Urhobo and Ijaw. The gender divide
of Nigeria's population, as indicated by the last census in 1991, reflects
an unusual inbalance in favour of male dominance; 51% male: 49% female.
However, the more critical population indices concern
High growth rate - 3.2%; this is affected by decreased infant mortality
and high fertility.
High school age population - over 47% are 15 years and below
High child dependency ratio - one dependant to one worker for the working
age group 25-65.
Large work force - working age group 15-59 is over 40 per cent of the
population.
Due to a massive expansion in the education sector in the last two decades,
the coloration and quality of the Nigerian work force has changed to include
a large corps of highly trained personnel in mechanical, civil, electrical,
electronics, chemical and petroleum engineering and biotechnics. There
are at present over 30 Federal and State Universities, some of them specialist
-Technology and Agriculture. In addition there are at least 20 Federal
and State Polytechnics. Over 70,000 graduates in various disciplines from
these institutions every year. Disciplines, apart from pure sciences,
engineering and technologies, include social sciences, business studies
(management, banking and finance), architecture, environment and urban
management studies. Also, a sizeable Nigerian population has been and
is being trained outside the country, in some of the best colleges in
the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Russia, Japan
and China.
Every year, about 2,000 of these Nigerians return home to seek employment
or accommodation within the economy.
For the less skilled and unskilled labour, the country depends on the
primary and secondary school systems whose annual enrolments are over
3.5 million and 1.5 million, respectively
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RESOURCES:
AGRICULTURAL, MINERAL AND MARINE
Nigeria, in addition to its huge population is endowed with significant
agricultural, mineral, marine and forest resources. Its multiple vegetation
zones, plentiful rain, surface water and underground water resources
and moderate climatic extremes, allow for production of diverse food
and cash crops. Over 60 per cent of the population is involved in
the production of the food crops such as cassava, maize, rice, yams,
various beans and legumes, soya, sorghum, ginger, onions, tomatoes,
melons and vegetable. The main cash crops are cocoa, cotton, groundnuts,
oil palm and rubber. Extractions from these for export and local industrial
use include cocoa flour and butter, rubber crumb, vegetable oil, cotton
fibre and yarn. The rain forests have been well exploited for timber
and wood products of exotic and popular species.
Oil and Gas, by value, are the most important minerals. They are
exploited and produced in the Niger Delta basin and off-shore on
the continental shelf and in the deep-sea of the territorial waters.
Nevertheless, there are significant non-oil mineral deposits on
land many of which have been identified and evaluated: coal, iron
ore, gypsum, kaolin, phosphates, lime -stone, marble, columbine,
baryte and gold.
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