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This paper focuses on Benin City, Nigeria, as a case study to explore urban sprawl and its associated problems resulting from unplanned and uncontrolled spatial expansion. Informal settlements house approximately 45% of Nigeria's urban population, leading to land and environmental challenges. The study aims to investigate how sustainable development goals can be realized through efficient, sustainable planning and urban design concepts, focusing on managing urban sprawl in the city. The methodology comprises a literature review, a field investigation of unplanned or squatter settlements in a selected part of Benin City through the administration of 201 questionnaires, and an analysis of its developments and physical transformations. Understanding the issues of urban sprawl arising from the rapid spatial expansion of Benin City is crucial for achieving a well-organized, planned, orderly, and sustainable environment. This paper provides valuable insights and information to facilitate effective urban planning in the study area. Additionally, it offers guidance to practitioners and developers on adopting sustainability measures in their projects. The findings of this study contribute to expanding the knowledge horizon and serve as a reference for further research on spatial expansion and the incidence of sprawl in urban centers throughout Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subject of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Nigeria emerged with various misrepresentations and conspiracy theories, such as the notion of COVID-19 as a forerunner of the Anti-Christ or the commencement of a 'New World Order' occasioned by the 5G network. COVID-19 information in Nigeria was managed by the Presidential Task Force through daily media briefings. This paper examined the PTF's information dissemination structure and its impact on four indigenous communities in south-eastern Nigeria: Ikwo in Ebonyi State, Iva-Valley Forestry Hill Camp 1 in Enugu State, Umualumu Old Road in Imo State, and Ogbagu Obukpa in Enugu State. TfD was used during lockdown to inform indigenous communities and promote necessary health precautions. The project used TfD and Brecht's Epic Theatre Theory in 4 Nigerian communities to show how TfD can complement other media in informing rural residents about COVID-19. TfD mobilized indigenous communities in southeastern Nigeria to understand Igbo and take COVID-19 precautions despite PTF's robust information dissemination structure. TfD could have helped the PTF share vital COVID-19 info with rural communities in Nigeria. The Nigerian government should establish a robust infrastructure for raising awareness and combating COVID-19 and other pandemics in rural areas through TfD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies showed that physical distancing and proper hygiene measures mitigate the fast spread of COVID-19. But how far the informal urban settlements residents can adhere to these and other measures are yet to receive in-depth studies in Nigeria. Therefore, this study investigated the level of residents' compliance and proffer possible solutions that will mitigate the pandemic spread. Five cities across Nigeria were engaged as the case study via a phenomenology type of qualitative research. The study combined MAXQDA 2020 with thematic analysis to describe the data. Findings show that majority of the informal urban settlements in Nigeria can enhance the spread of COVID-19. As part of this paper's implications, findings will strengthen collaboration with relevant stakeholders regarding effective control measures and propose measures possibly to be adopted by other developing countries with similar attributes in the informal urban settlements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food security is adversely affected by challenges posed by changes in land use and land cover (LULC). LULC change impacts ecosystem functions and services, leading to migration of people, particularly rural dwellers. This paper uses multispectral satellite remote sensing, net migration data, household survey, stakeholders' meetings, Focus Group Discussions (FGD), expert interviews and yields and estimated land mass of maize, rice, groundnut, cassava, and yam to assess the extent of LULC in Niger, Kwara, and Benue states of North Central Region of Nigeria and their relevance for migration and food security. Remote sensing data for 1990, 2000, 2013, and 2020 were extracted from Landsat imageries to obtain LULC change. Household survey was conducted to validate the data obtained from Landsat imageries. The results of LULC between 1990 and 2020 show that most of the vegetation, agricultural land, and water body areas in Kwara and Benue States have been converted to built-up areas and barren land, while an increase in agricultural land and built-up areas was observed in Niger State. Our household survey, stakeholders' meetings, and interviews showed that there was a continuous massive migration of people, particularly young farmers, to cities leaving most of the existing agricultural lands uncultivated. This was due to the losses in agricultural land and conversion of some of the other LULC classes to barren land. We conclude that if this permanent migration remains uncontrolled, it will have significantly negative future impacts on food security of Nigeria. It is recommended that the government and its sub-ordinary administrative entities invest in more reliable infrastructure and attractive living environment for the rural dwellers to reduce the rate of rural-urban migration in the study areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study described in this paper examined residents' satisfaction with urban renewal projects in south-western Nigeria. The aim was to provide guidelines that could enhance sustainable urban renewal projects in the study area. Primary data was collected from residents in selected cities in states in south-western Nigeria. The states were categorised into three homogeneous groups: Lagos/Ogun, Oyo/Osun and Ondo/Ekiti. One state was randomly selected from each group, namely Ogun, Osun and Ondo. Thus, the following capital cities where urban renewal projects were concentrated in these states were selected: Abeokuta, Osogbo and Akure. A set of questionnaires targeted at residents was administered to household heads living in one of every 20 houses in the 31 political wards. A total of 1,671 questionnaires were administered, of which 1,555 copies were retrieved for the study. Data collected was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Secondary data included maps of political wards from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), maps from ministries of their respective states, number of residential buildings from National Population Commission (NPC), among others. On average, the condition of renewal projects provided by the governments in the study area is moderately satisfactory. Construction and rehabilitation of roads was adjudged the best (3.9 out of 5). Further, a mean score of 2.8 was obtained for all the projects taken together. This shows that the respondents were fairly satisfied with the urban projects implemented in the study area. The study concluded that low level of involvement of members of the public in the planning and implementation of urban renewal in the study area did not negatively influence their acceptability of the projects executed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Governments often have contentious relationships with residents of urban informal settlements. Motivated by the desire for rents and dreams of becoming the next luxury destination, city governments worldwide have forcefully evicted and demolished informal communities in this pursuit. In such instances it would seem that the state has broken the social contract with its most vulnerable citizens. How do citizens respond? We might expect them to reciprocate in kind, by withholding taxes owed to the government. Using a survey of citizens living in informal settlements across Lagos State in Nigeria, we explore what predicts citizens' willingness to comply with government taxation. In this unlikely context for voluntary compliance, we observe that a third of respondents pay taxes and a majority are willing to pay absent enforcement. We find minimal support for standard theories of tax payment — trust in or reciprocity toward the government, or identification with the nation. Instead, we find that willingness to pay taxes is correlated with group membership, believing that community members respect taxpayers, and donating to the community. Our data suggest that local institutions and social relations are associated with citizens' willingness to comply with tax policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Antenatal care (ANC) is crucial for positive pregnancy outcomes, but it is underutilised in Nigeria, suggesting unmet needs, and potentially contributing to the country's high burden of maternal and neonatal mortalities. This study comprehensively assesses ANC utilisation and receipt of its components in Nigeria, focusing on disparities between rural and urban areas. Methods: We used the data disaggregation approach to analyse the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2018. We estimated ANC utilisation, assessed the receipt of ANC components, and identified factors associated with eight or more (≥ 8) ANC contacts nationally and across rural and urban residences. Results: Nationwide, only 20.3% of women had ≥ 8 ANC contacts, with a significant disparity (P < 0.001) between urban (35.5%) and rural (10.4%) areas in Nigeria. The North-East region had the lowest ANC utilisation nationally (3.7%) and in urban areas (3.0%), while the North-West had the lowest in rural areas (2.7%). Nationally, 69% of mothers received iron supplements, 70% had tetanus injections, and 16% received medicines for intestinal parasites, with urban residents having higher proportions across all ANC components. Maternal and husband education, health insurance, and maternal autonomy were associated with increased ANC odds at the national, rural, and urban residences. However, differences exist, with all ethnicities having higher ANC odds than the Hausa/Fulanis in urban areas and the Yorubas demonstrating greater odds than other ethnicities in rural settings. Internet use was significant only in the national context, watching television only in urban settings, while maternal working status, wealth, birth type, religion, and radio listenership were significant in rural areas. Conclusion: Our study reveals significant disparities in ANC utilisation and components across Nigeria, with rural residents, particularly in northern regions, as well as socioeconomically disadvantaged and teenage mothers facing notable challenges. A multifaceted approach prioritising the interplay of intersectional factors like geography, socioeconomic status, education, religion, ethnicity, and gender dynamics is essential. Key strategies should include targeted interventions to promote educational opportunities, expand health insurance coverage, leverage internet and context-specific media, and foster socioeconomic empowerment, with priority for underserved populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the impact of the government enterprise and empowerment program (GEEP) on women's performance in entrepreneurship development in Nigeria. Results from the use of difference-in-difference (DiD) quasi-experimental design indicate that GEEP intervention has significant impacts on enterprise turnover, reduction in per unit cost of production, and increase in profitability and return on investment (ROI). The results also show unequal access to resources and opportunities available in GEEP, between rural and urban residents. The findings suggest that, if the rural women had equal access to the resources and opportunities available to their urban counterparts in GEEP, they would participate in traditional industries and build livelihoods in rural economies. This implies that embracing increased GEEP interventions with rural dwellers will enhance women's entrepreneurship development, raise women's economic status, and deter aggression in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We live in an urban planet. As the world continues to urbanize, urban development that support the health and wellbeing of city dwellers is far more important than ever before to achieve sustainable development targets. This study explores the complex relationship among urban planning, city growth, and health as critical drivers of sustainable development in the rapidly growing nodal city of Akure, Nigeria. The study provides a four-decade spatio-temporal model of urban Land Use Land Cover (LULC) changes in Akure between the years 1984 and 2023 from acquired Landsat satellite imageries. The result shows more than 20% net change increase in developed LULC classes between the study years. A strong positive correlation exists between the years covered in the analyses and urban development (r = 0.93, p = 0.002), and a strong negative relationship with the forest land use (r = -0.94, p = 0.002) with potential debilitating impacts on residents' health, green infrastructures and the city's sustainability in the future. Furthermore, results of key informant interviews (KIIs) of officials of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development (MPPUD) in Akure, Ondo State, unveil various views on the "place of health" in urban planning practices in Akure. A lack of synergy between urban planners and public health practitioners in the city and limiting scope of functions of urban planning on the impact of health in Akure were observed. Thus, we recommend the integration of a sustainable urban planning approach as a guide to manage the city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessing the status of clean drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene remains a challenge in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The current article contributes to the progress made by the WASH initiatives in ten SSA countries in eliminating open defecation by 2030, using theoretical data from 2017 to 2019. The authors used regression trend estimation to observe that rural and urban population growth had a statistically significant detrimental influence on the elimination of open defecation by 2030. According to the predicted data model, by 2030–2035, the urban population of SSA would be 65, 25, and 10 million in all the three categories of income groups. An increase in the number of modern pit users (C1) shows no improvement at the annual rate of change. The unimproved toilets and open-pit latrines (C2 and C3) show a linear growth rate, which expanded over time. Population growth, higher unemployment, and teen pregnancies contribute to this increase. Under current conditions, the curve of modern pit latrine users will increase linearly. Nigeria has the most significant number of spread pit latrine users, which has decreased linearly from 25 to 20% since 2017. It was evident that the power-law trend in Nigeria would increase the usage of unimproved pit latrines and open-pit latrines. Ghana had the highest rate (50%) of open-pit latrine users, while the data show that this situation remained stable (2001–2017). In the Democratic Rep. Congo, annual rates increased linearly from 25 to 33% (2000–2017), while Burundi was one of the countries in the region with the lowest number of open-pit latrine users, although the annual rate has increased from 6.13 to 11.75% since 2017 to 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the disposal unit of waste management, targeting distance cover to dispose facilities in Ede town, Nigeria. Information was obtained through questionnaire administered on 259 household selected through stratified systematic random sampling. The three stratified zones based on socio-economic attributes are the core, intermediate and the transition. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used to analyse the data collected. The study established that actual average distances residents covered to disposal sites are 200.6 m in the core, 80.2 in the intermediate and 120.3 m in the transition zones. Respective desired distances as obtained from the residents are 50, 60 and 82 m. The study also established that residents, irrespective socio-economic background and differences in physical environment currently dispose solid waste indiscriminately into road setback, drains, under- construction buildings and vacant plots. These practices are attributed to longer distance cover to access disposal facilities. The study concluded that disposal facilities are not sited within the desired distance from home of the residents across the three residential zones. Therefore, waste disposal was based on available physical conditions in each residential area. The study recommends creation of waste collection depots within the reach of the residents, tutoring environmental protection, partial privatization of solid waste management and enactment of enabling law on waste disposal using participatory planning approach. It is also recommended that residents should be enlighten on the important of reducing waste coming into city, reusing already used materials and recycling some waste components into new products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is multifaceted and complex in its impacts on the human population across the globe. The areas of impacts include food insecurity and urban sustainability issues, which are currently ravaging the developing nations where sustainability policy frameworks are lacking or in passivity. The complex impacts of climate change on the urban population have been explored by some researchers in other regions of the world however, the nexus between climate change-induced conflicts and urban food insecurity and sustainability crises is yet to be empirically explored especially in the developing nations such as in sub-Saharan Africa. The aforementioned research and policy problem was the drive to the present study. The study which was guided by sustainability and climate change models, involved 1,658 respondents among the farming communities in southeast Nigeria using survey design and questionnaire as data gathering instrument. The study concludes that there is a cycle of anthropogenic activities among the urban population contributing to climate change, and climate change crises returning to urban population in form of food security and urban sustainability crises due to weak and passive environmental sustainability policy framework in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, there have been sustained efforts at addressing inclusion by providing access to safe, accessible, reliable, and affordable transport systems for all, including persons with mobility impairment. Individuals or groups such as children, the elderly, and people with disabilities, whose capacities to travel are restricted by some permanent or temporary frailties have been generally referred to as Persons With Mobility Impairment (PWMI). While many city dwellers take mobility for granted, it is not the case for PWMI as their travel experiences are marked by exclusion and frustrations due to inherent barriers in transport infrastructure and services. This study examined usability of road infrastructure for persons with mobility impairment. The study was centred on six randomly selected cities in Nigeria. Survey research design was employed by which primary data were collected through geometric measurement, observation, and the use of structured questionnaire. We adopted the Safety, Accessibility, Reliability and Affordability (SARA) analytical framework for data analysis. Statistical analyses of data were done using descriptive statistics, Analysis of Variants (ANOVA), and the Kruskal-Wallis H test. The study found insignificant numbers, and (in some cases), complete non-existence of pedestrian infrastructure and universal design facilities on major roads in the investigated cities. Most of the roads examined have facilities in less than 20% of the required locations. There was no statistically significant difference between the mean number of facilities across the selected roads and across the six cities studied. More than 90% of respondents rated each of the usability indices (safety, accessibility, reliability, and affordability) low. Generally, roads in Nigerian cities are characterised by structural barriers which impede safety and accessibility for people with mobility impairment thereby making them experience unreliable and less-affordable journeys, reflecting the low usability of road infrastructure across the cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land is fundamental in housing production. Without easy access to land, issues of housing may not be adequately discussed. This study examines factors that are associated with land accessibility for housing development in border communities of Ogun State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used in selecting 562 landowners. Data collected were analyzed through the use of frequency distribution, percentages, mean scores, and factor analysis. The study revealed that majority of the respondents earned between N20,001 (52$) to N 60,000 (157$) per month with an average income of N 39,347.3 (103$). This implies that majority of the respondents were low-income earners. The study discovered that high cost, pressure on residential land, and high cost of land relative to household income among others have a major influence on land accessibility for housing provision. The use of factor analysis showed that affordability (23.5%), security of tenure (14.3%), procedural (10.7%) factors were the major factors influencing land accessibility for housing development while personal attributes (8.2%) and land availability (6.6%) were the least associated factors. In conclusion, despite the fact that land is physically available, the condition attached to accessing land for housing development makes it unavailable to the urban poor due to high cost, insecure tenure, and procedural issues. The study, therefore, recommended that efforts should be made by the government in considering these factors in ensuring land accessibility for housing development among urban dwellers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the significance of green infrastructure in enhancing social, economic and ecological sustainability of the built environment, it is important to unearth how green infrastructure can influence pro-environmental behaviours among the urban population. This research assessed the influence of green infrastructure on residents' endorsement of the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria. A total of 1560 residents recruited through the multi-stage sampling technique participated in the survey, and the data gathered were subjected to descriptive and regression analyses. The participants generally felt that the available green infrastructure in their neighbourhoods was of low quality and rapidly disappearing, but it positively influenced all the key variables of the NEP and its endorsement. The size of neighbourhood green spaces, availability of green spaces for relaxation and its proximity to the people were found to be the three attributes of green infrastructure with the most noticeable influence on residents' endorsement of NEP. This study implies that the availability and accessibility of a reasonable quantity of green areas within urban neighbourhoods can enhance a better understanding of the role of green infrastructure and promote favourable environmental behaviours among the urban population within and outside Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the extent to which stakeholders are involved and evidence considered in urban development policies and strategies in Nigeria. With a high urban population growth rate in Nigerian cities, sustainable urban development is critical and should be hinged on viable policies that are evidence-based and consider stakeholders' inputs and interests. A document review of policies, strategies, and plans that are relevant to urban development in Nigeria was conducted. A total of 25 documents were reviewed consisting of 11 policies, 7 plans and 6 strategies/programs/initiatives/road maps, and 1 legal act. A scoping literature review was also done to navigate assessment of the policy documents. Narrative synthesis of findings was conducted. Various stakeholders at the federal and state levels were listed in the policy and strategy documents as being involved in urban development in Nigeria, including government agencies, development partners, civil society organizations, and community groups. The lack of clarity in stakeholders' roles in policy development was noted. Various forms of evidence were stated to have been used in policy development including examining policy antecedents, statistical data from diverse sources, country-wide experiences, and expert advice. Stakeholders' roles in urban development in Nigeria vary across policies, and their involvement in the policy development process is not often explicit. There is a need for harmonized inclusion. Although various forms of evidence were alluded to in some Nigerian urban policies, the sources and manner of utility were somewhat unclear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As more people now live in urban areas than in rural communities in Nigeria, urban development (UD) requires urgent policy and programmatic attention. Although the population factor has been identified as important to achieving national development goals, and evidence suggests that meeting the family planning (FP) and reproductive health (RH) needs of the vulnerable urban population can serve as an important recipe for achieving population growth rates consistent with building sustainable, habitable and prosperous urban settings, FP remains a neglected subject in UD initiatives in Nigeria. This study explored barriers and facilitators in achieving integrated policy formulation and implementation of FP and UD programmes in Nigeria.Methods: We conducted key informant interviews (n = 37) with relevant FP/RH and UD stakeholders in Ibadan and Kaduna-two megacities that have undergone several UD and FP intervention programmes in the south and north of Nigeria. The sample size was determined by data saturation. Data were organized using ATLAS.ti and NVivo 12 software, and analysis was conducted using a thematic approach.Results: We found that relevant government agencies largely work in silos. Other identified barriers to integrated policy formulation/implementation of FP and UD programmes in Nigeria include lack of knowledge about the FP-UD nexus between professionals, ineffective implementation and monitoring of existing guidelines, lack of policy documentation that clearly links FP and UD, and frequent transfer of government stakeholders. Notwithstanding the identified barriers, the study established ways of achieving synergy between FP and UD sectors, including stakeholder engagement, intersectoral collaborations, sensitization and publicity, roundtable discussion, interdisciplinary research, conferences and other interactive and knowledge-sharing fora.Conclusions: We conclude that addressing barriers to the intersectoral linkage between FP and UD is fundamental to achieving sustainable urbanization in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Onitsha urban was carefully planned with the environment contours in mind. Areas of recreation, schools, hospitals, government offices and residential quarters were well provided. However, after the Nigeria-Biafra war, the urban planning became bastardized. People began to erect shacks in waterways blocking drainage systems with little official rebuke. Gradually, the beautiful city degenerated into big slums. This unchecked "subsequent" development of the city away from its original purview is the crux of this research. This study examines the lived experiences of the people in these slums, the effect on children, the urban city, as well as the challenges posed by climate change. Investigations revealed a paradigm shift in the popular narratives that poverty, cheap house rents, unemployment and low-income earning are the reasons a large number of people live in slums. The findings from the study were drawn through the use of the qualitative and quantitative method of historical inquiry while Onitsha served as the study area, as the study strived to address the unsustainable urban development in Nigeria. Research designs such as case study, cross-sectional design, survey design, experimental and descriptive designs were used for the interpretation of the questionnaires and the findings of the research. The individual/opportunity nexus theory of migration by Shane and Venkataraman complemented by Stokes theory of slums were used in this research. This paper concludes that an effective urban planning and low-cost housing estate should be factored in during constructions in Onitsha Nigeria just like in other parts of Asian and European countries. This is to forestall the environmental degradation that could lead to health crisis and reclaim the city from falling irredeemably into a huge ghetto. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of poor urban populations in developing countries to adapt to rapid increase in surface temperature and likely health effect of a 1.5 °C increase in global temperature is uncertain. Rapid urbanization and poor socio, economic, and technological development may increase heat vulnerabilities of poor urban populations in tropical cities. This study examines the thermal perception of urban populations in Ibadan, south western Nigeria, and sociodemographic characteristics of individuals that influence thermal perception, self-reported health effects, and coping strategies to heat stress using a purposefully designed questionnaire and interviews with aged individuals in the five local government areas of Ibadan metropolis. Differences in sociodemographic characteristics of respondents such as inequalities in monthly income, occupation, ethnicity, housing characteristics, and length of stay in Ibadan significantly influence thermal perception, self-reported health effects of heat exposure, and coping strategies adopted. Perceived thermal conditions reported were warmer temperatures during the day and night (43.75%), warmer day-time temperatures (40.25%), and warmer night-time temperatures (16%). Dehydration and sweating (56%): heat rash, heat exhaustion, headaches, sleep disturbances and dehydration (15.25%), and sleep disturbance and sweating (12.25%) were major combinations of self-reported health effects. Other effects include fainting, diarrhea, raised blood pressure, and restlessness. Temperature variations (minimum and maximum) examined from 1971 to 2018 shows that warmer conditions are being experienced in Ibadan. Increased heat-health awareness and urban designs that respond to people's thermal perception should be encouraged in developing thermally comfortable environments in Ibadan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the socio-cultural uses of open spaces within and around buildings in the traditional residential neighborhood of Ile-Ife, Nigeria. This is with a view to provide information that could guide open space planning and management in traditional residential environments. The data for this study were obtained through a questionnaire survey, direct observation, measurement of open spaces, and photographic recordings. It is established that open spaces played a number of crucial roles in the socio-cultural life of residents: they served as areas for social ceremonies, burying the dead, ancestral worship/rituals, family meetings, and reception of visitors. The important determinants of the uses of open spaces were traditions and cultural practices, the need for social interactions among neighbors and climatic condition. The study concluded that open spaces are settings where residents connect socially, culturally and spiritually in the traditional environment. It is therefore recommended that physical planners should endeavor to appreciate the socio-cultural values and needs of urban residents in open space planning, design, and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pride of any government is the attainment of higher value level of national development in such a way that its citizens would derive natural attachment to governance. However, for a nation to be in a phase of development there must be some pre-requisites, which include sociopolitical and economic stability for the development of academic libraries. The gap between the developed and the developing countries is not static or narrow but is continually widening. A large majority of the world's population in developing world lives in a state of poverty. The problem of urban population, rural stagnation, unemployment and growing inequalities continue to face less developed countries, which Nigeria belongs. Hopes of accelerated development are difficult to realize. This gloomy situation is of great concern to stake holders and the concerned citizenry. Nigeria has not been able to engender meaningful development in spite of her huge resources endowment. This has greatly affected her quest to improved quality of life of her citizens. Poverty, unemployment and starvation still pervade the nook and cranny of the country of which if academic libraries are not well developed in which if it were being developed it would have fostered a good national development of its citizenry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Both rural and urban households in Nigeria get majority of their food from markets. • Market access & non-farm income reduce households' need to produce what they eat. • Own production can support dietary diversity in Africa's urbanizing population. • Food security can be supported with nutrition information & more income options. In developing countries, a large share of the population is involved in agriculture, and policies encouraging households to grow their own food have a long history. Given the rapid expansion of food markets in developing countries, this paper revisits the value of such policies. With due recognition of Africa's rapidly expanding urban population and concerns about urban food security, we consider both rural and urban households. We apply panel data methods to a nationally representative data set from Nigeria to account for time-invariant unobserved characteristics that could jointly determine food production and dietary diversity. We find that households producing a greater share of their own food have lower dietary diversity scores, compared to households that buy all their food, especially for rural dwellers. This finding reflects the reality that households are usually limited in the set of food items that they can produce. With improved access to markets and non-farm income, households do not need to produce all of their own food to improve dietary diversity. Thus, our results indicate the need to revisit policies encouraging undue focus on own production of food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]