Cambridge IGCSE Geography
Population Dynamics
Case Study Over-population – Nigeria Lagos according to Lonely Planet
Nigeria’s population – a silent killer
Lagos is the largest city in Africa, it has wall-to-wall people, bumper-to-bumper cars, noise and pollution beyond belief, an intimidating crime rate, and the public utilities cannot cope with the number of people who need to use them. Elevated motorways ringing the city are jammed with speed freaks and absurd traffic jams (‘go-slows’) on top, and tin-and-cardboard shacks underneath.
In 2013 Nigeria had a population of 175 million people with over 60% living on less than one dollar a day. It occupies only 3% of Africa but is home to over 15% of its people. Over-population means pressure on natural resources, high levels of air and water pollution, and a lack of essential services such as health care and education. Overcrowding and lack of accommodation have resulted in increased disease levels, inadequate sanitation and scarcity of resources for medical care and education. Lack of employment and poverty, and the desperation to survive have increased the crime rate and the country now experiences serious over-congestion of public transport, roads and bridges.
Named after the Portuguese word for lagoon, Lagos, the economic and cultural powerhouse of the country, has been a major port, a British political centre and, until 1991, Nigeria’s capital. Adapted from Lonely Planet
Some problems caused in Nigeria by over-population Not enough housing in Kano
High crime rates in Jos
8
NIGER
Pollution of air and water in Port Harcourt
Kano
BENIN
Jos
NIGERIA Ibadan Lagos
Shortage of food and water in Yola
Not enough health care and schools in Ibadan
Gulf of Guinea
Port Harcourt
Yola
CAMEROON Congested roads in Lagos