J Hum Ecol, 31(1): 19-26 (2010)
Urbanisation and the Choice of Fuel Wood as a Source of Energy in Nigeria
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Y.Y. Babanyara* and U. F. Saleh. Urban and Regional Planning Programme; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, P.M. B 0248, Bauchi, Nigeria
This paper discusses the problem of urbanization and fuel wood consumption in Nigeria and the main objective is to examine the causes and effects of degradation of the environment. Between 1990 and 2000, Nigeria lost an average of 409,700 hectares of forest, equal to an average annual deforestation rate of 2.38%. Additionally, between 2000 and 2005, Nigeria lost 35.7% of its forest cover, or around 6,145,000 hectares.
The paper found that the factors causing fuel wood demand in urban areas include, Rural-urban migration, Urbanization, Poverty, Hikes in prices of kerosene and cooking gas amongst others. The paper relied mainly on secondary information from both empirical and non-empirical researches. Furthermore, the consequences of indiscriminate felling of trees such as Deforestation, Desertification, Erosion and Bio-diversity loss were highlighted. The Prospects of harnessing other renewable sources of energy in Nigeria as a measure to reduce the rate of consumption of fuel wood is recommended.
