The 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey has revealed that 60 percent of the Northeast population of Nigeria, lack improved sources of drinking water. At the national level, as much as 42 percent of Nigeria’s rural dwellers and 28 percent of residents of urban areas lacked an improved source of drinking water as of 2018.
This and other discouraging indicators in the recently published survey reiterate the huge toll of development gaps in Nigeria. While the report documented some improvements in Nigeria’s development indicators, it also showed some of the development setbacks in Africa’s largest economy. Moreover, it situates the crisis of development planning in the country.
Across household demographics, there are several indications that Nigeria is not faring well. Apart from the unavailability of water to some of Nigeria’s household, other socio-economic variables appear not to be positive. For example, only 56 percent of Nigerian households use an improved sanitation facility. By implication, two in every five Nigerians does not have access to a decent toilet.
Access to Toilet Facility
Only 37 percent of households in Nigeria have toilet facility in their own dwelling. 61 percent of Nigeria’s rural dwellers lacked improved toilet facilities. Although the proportion of households with no toilet facility has decreased over the last five years by about 5 percent, the current number is not satisfactory. But the definition of improved toilet facilities according to the report includes relatively low ended facilities such as pit latrines with slabs and composting toilets.
Electricity and Education
Other quality of life indicators also appears low. For instance, household access to electricity stood at 59 percent. 61 percent of rural households and 17 percent of the urban household could not access electricity. 36 percent and 27 percent of females and males respectively have no education.
The new school attendance ratio 61 percent at the primary level and 49 percent at the secondary level.
Considering these development gaps, policies and actions should be initiated to address them. Specifically, the government should prioritize the improvement of the socio-economic well-being of the citizen. Improvement should be made in budgetary allocation for citizen’s basic needs. In addition, there is a need to prioritize needs-based infrastructure delivery. Evidence-based planning and use of data for development planning should be integrated into project design and implementation.
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