Analele Universităţii din Oradea: Seria Geografie (Jul 2019)
INFLUENCE OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS ON THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF A TYPICAL RURAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA IN NIGERIA
Abstract
This study assessed the impact of locating tertiary institutions on the growth and socio-economic development of selected settlements in Ife North Local Government Area (LGA) of Osun State, Nigeria. In view of this, the study identified socio-economic activities; examined factors that contributed to the growth and development; and discussed the effects of the growth and development of the selected settlements in Ife North LGA. Data for the study were obtained from both primary and secondary sources. Data were analysed using Concentration Index (CI) and descriptive statistics of mean, standard deviation and variance. Results showed that apart from the location of higher institutions, other factors that were identified as significant to the growth and development of the study area include peaceful co-existence and the creation of Ife North LGA. In addition, the impacts of the location of the institutions are mostly felt in Asipa (CI = 1.6410) and Edunabon (CI = 1.5708). However, results indicated that the most perceived influence of the location of higher institutions in the area were increase in house rent, increase in crime rates and other social vices. The private sector was found to be more active in the development of the selected settlements in Ife North LGA. In view of these observations, the study concluded that location of higher institutions of learning in the less developed parts of a developing country like Nigeria, presents both a series of challenges and openings for scholars working in urban areas. Therefore, the study recommended that, for the institutions to serve their roles as growth centres there is the need for a joint collaboration between the public and the private sectors to increase their levels of participation in the development of small urban centres.
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