Problems caused by Over Population - Nigeria

For the Question, ‘For a named country you have studied, describe the problems caused by over-population.’, the mark scheme given is as below.

Level 1 [1–3 marks]

Statements including limited detail which describe the problems caused by over–population.

Level 2 [4–6 marks]

Uses named example.

More developed statements which describe the problems caused by over–population.

(NB Max 5 if no named or inappropriate example)

Level 3 [7 marks]

Uses named example.

Comprehensive and accurate statements including some place specific reference.

Content Guide:

Answers are likely to refer to:

not enough housing

water and air pollution

shortage of food and water

high crime rates

not enough health care and education

lack of employment

poverty etc

Place specific reference is likely to consist of:

Named parts of the chosen country/locational detail,

Population data/statistics

NB: Development is of the problem not the causes. The focus is on impacts within the

country.

The sample complete answer for the above question can be as below:

For a named country you have studied, describe the problems caused by over-population.

Write the points mentioned below with a pencil somewhere down and then take point by point and develop it. After completing the answer, erase these points.

-> Pressure on natural resources

-> High levels of water and air pollution

->Lack of essential services such as healthcare and education

->High crime rate

->In 2013, Nigeria had a population of 175 million people with over 60% living on less than one dollar a day. It occupies only 3% of Africa but is a home to over 15% of its people.(Introduction with statistics that relate to the problem and a little description)

-> Pressure on natural resources – In Lagos, the largest city in Africa,(place specific reference with development) there is not enough housing and there are people living in tin-and-cardboard shacks under the elevated motorways as there is no open land or resources available to build proper houses with all facilities . The public utilities cannot cope with the number of people who need to use them and there is shortage of food and water in Yola.

--> High levels of water and air pollution – In Makoko, a slum in Lagos, the shacks are on stilts in the filthy waters and the canoes collide as they hustle between the places. Many live in unhygienic conditions and the gutters are filled with rubbish made of soggy paper, bulging black nylon bags and empty water bottles. There are many cars causing traffic congestion, noise and air pollution running on the narrow roads.

->Lack of essential services such as healthcare and education – In Lagos and Ibadan, there are very few schools and some schools started through donations. They have wood-frame classrooms. Overcrowding and lack of accommodation have resulted in increased disease levels, inadequate sanitation (four families in place of two shares the same wash area in Surulere) and scarcity of resources for medical care and education.

->High crime rate – Lack of employment and poverty, and the desperation to survive have increased the crime rates in Jos. Armed robbery is very common and there were 220 murder cases officially reported in 2015.