POPULATION GROWTH CHALLENGES AND CONTEMPORARY ISSUES: CASE STUDY OF ZARIA AND SABON GARI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/jees.2025.0202/009Keywords:
Challenges, Population Growth, Social Development, ProspectsAbstract
The study examines the contemporary issues of population growth, challenges, and prospects regarding the Sabon Gari and Zaria Local Government Areas of Kaduna State. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted, involving 340 households. The study's data were collected through a structured questionnaire. A systematic sampling method was adopted to select respondents in areas with street layouts, and a random sampling method was used to choose household heads (as respondents for the study) in unplanned areas. The results indicated that 32.6% were married to more than one wife, and 42.9% had only a Quranic/Primary education. 45.5% are farmers. More results show that respondents maintained large family sizes (25.3%). 45% believed that religion was the cause of the area's high population. More than half (51%) believe that population growth can be reduced only by raising awareness of the negative consequences of overpopulation. The study therefore concluded that the area has witnessed a tremendous increase in population in recent years, with attendant implications and challenges like high crime, inflation, food insecurity, and youth unemployment. The study recommended that monogamous marriages should be encouraged. This is possible through mass education and enlightenment about the need to marry only one wife, thereby reducing family sizes. Early marriage should be discouraged, and education for the girl child should be encouraged; people should embrace family planning practices. Secondly, awareness of the negative consequences of population increase should be created.
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