THE IMPACT OF RURAL INDUSTRIALIZATION ON DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA
ABSTRACT
This study seeks to evaluate the impact of rural industrialization on development in Nigeria using Nnewi (Anambra State) as a case of study. Rural industrialization is seen a antireform to the rapid urbanization of Nigeria urban center through the process of rural urban migration as migrants from rural areas drift to cities in search of jobs, high income, better living condition and infrastructural facilities present there. The above was made possible by the skewed regional imbalance of industrial location in the country which tends to be biased disappropriately in favour of the urban centers. Nnewi is one of the major industrial cities in Nigeria. Noted for its automobile spare part business. Nnewi houses more than 30 functional industries with the industrialists taking full advantage of the Nkwo Market which is one of the biggest auto spare parts market in Africa. Unfortunately, the rapid industrialization of Nnewi town seems to be creating some serious social and environment problem in the town. It is against this backdrop that this research was embarked on to identify this problem, evaluate there effect on the inhabitants of the Nnewi town and proffer solution to the identified problems. The design used in this research is the case study, using twenty-three (23) itemized and validated questionnaires which was prepared to help the researcher elicit information from the respondents drawn from the town of study, Nnewi. A population sample of 335 made up of 200 males and 135 females were randomly drawn for the study. The major finding of the study were at 0.05 probability level. T-test was also used in data analysis. The finding of the study revealed that in as much as rural industrialization is seemingly indispensable in Nigeria now, there is serious need to check the hazards and social ills that are associated with unplanned urbanization of the rural area through industrialization. This is a matter of necessity. Finally, the finding of this study seems to have strong favour for rural industrialization but at the same time, strongly oppose unplanned rural industrialization.
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