The Fifth Plan and the Urban Problem in Nigeria

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Periodical article

Title:	The Fifth Plan and the Urban Problem in Nigeria
Author:	Okowa, Willie J.
Year:	1989
Periodical:	African Urban Quarterly
Volume:	4
Issue:	1-2
Period:	January-May
Pages:	82-88
Language:	English
Notes:	biblio. refs.
Geographic terms:	Nigeria West Africa
Subjects:	rural-urban disparity national plans Drought and Desertification Economics and Trade Urbanization and Migration Economics, Commerce rural development Urban policy development plans
Abstract:	The problem of rural-urban imbalance in Nigeria has persisted despite the existence of a planning regime that predates independence in 1960. Even though there have been lofty aspirations articulated by the Third and Fourth National Development Plans towards a more balanced resource allocation pattern in the rural-urban context, lack of the necessary political will has rendered these aspirations 'unrealistic'. The one serious attempt to come to terms with the urban problem in Nigeria is the DFRRI (Directorate of Food, Roads and Rural Infrastructure), launched in 1987 by the Babangida administration. Second, the programme of setting up Development Committees in every community in the country, and the Mass Mobilization for Economic Recovery, Social Justice and Self-Reliance (Mamser) programme are useful agencies for rural development. This paper argues for a critical role for the forthcoming Fifth National Development Plan in terms of addressing the urban problem. Notes, ref.