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Characteristics of environmental problems in Nigeria and management prospects

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Summary

Nigeria, a rapidly urbanizing and industrializing society, is currently faced with many environmental problems. Through the analysis of what Kassas (1985) referred to as the ‘Three-systems’, that is, the technosphere, biosphere and sociosphere, of the Nigerian environment, a number of substantive and procedural problems are characterized.

The findings include the causes and nature of such problems, including their complexities on the one hand, and management strategies on the other. On a more germane level, this study shows that governmental action and policies seldom reflect a sound understanding and impact on the problems. Governmental action, moreover, produces anad-hoc coping mechanism where and when necessary. A comprehensive environmental planning/management strategy is suggested in the last section of the paper along with the pre-requisites for its success.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. U.I. PO Box 5, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

    Adefemi Olokesusi

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  1. Adefemi Olokesusi
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Mr Adefemi Olokesusi is a Research Fellow at the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research, Nigeria.

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Olokesusi, A. Characteristics of environmental problems in Nigeria and management prospects. Environmentalist 7, 55–60 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02277206

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