Theory question 108
Nigeria: People and Economy(a) On a sketch map of Nigeria, locate and name (i) one area important for the mining of each of limestone, tin, crude oil and coal (ii) one major town in each area
(b) Explain the importance of any one of the minerals to the economy of Nigeria
(c) Outline any four problems facing the mining industry in Nigeria.
Show the model answer
(a) Limestone – Ewekoro/Shagamu (Ogun), Nkalagu, Sokoto, Ashaka; tin – Jos Plateau (Jos, Bukuru); crude oil – Niger Delta (Port Harcourt, Warri); coal – Enugu (Udi), Okaba
(b) Crude oil: main source of foreign exchange (over 90% of exports) and government revenue; fuel and energy; raw material for refineries and petrochemicals (fertiliser, plastics); employment; development of towns and infrastructure
(c) Lack of capital and technology; dependence on foreign companies; poor transport; fluctuating world prices; exhaustion of deposits; environmental damage (oil spills, open pits) and community unrest; illegal mining and smuggling; shortage of skilled labour
Name a town in each mining area.