EFFIONG, Itohowo Victor
Department Of Sociology and Anthropology
University of Uyo, Uyo
Email: Ieffiong354@Gmail.Com
Phone Number: 08026123702
BEN, V. E.
Department Of Sociology and Anthropology
University of Uyo, Uyo
Email: Victorben@Uniuyo.Edu.Ng
Phone Number: 08151117313
UKPA, Solomon Stephen
Department f Sociology and Anthropology
University Of Uyo, Uyo
Email: Solomonstephenu@Gmail.Com
Phone Number: 07060571698
ABSTRACT
Every society desire development that is sustainable. Sustainable development guarantees
that the future generations have resources to fall back to. Population phenomenon plays a
crucial role in actualizing this desire. Nigeria, which has a relatively young and large
population can leverage on this potential and productive population and invest for national
development and growth. Unfortunately, demographic composition of the country‟s
population is far from articulating a transition of the potentials to real benefits. This is
apparent because about 46.48 percent of the population resides in rural areas and although
engaged in diverse income generating activities are substantially poor. In Akwa Ibom State,
72.66 percent of her over 5 million population resides in rural areas and are predominantly
farmers. A greater proportion of the population comprises of persons in the cohort of 15-64
years, most of whom are jobless and poor. However, with the current fertility rate of 3.6 and
low mortality rate as indicated by the recent national survey, attention over the achievement
of demographic dividend becomes apparent. This study found that instead of the rural
population being beneficial to the state, it is rather being left to chance without proper
policies for guidance in achieving demographic dividends.