Assessment of Resource Potential and their Impact on Development of Northeast Region of Nigeria Geographic Analysis

Abstract

Natural resources are both blessings as well as otherwise, focusing on water resources this thesis investigates water resource management and also affirmed the axiom that both surface and groundwater resource of the Northeast region of Nigeria has greater budding magnitude for human development which is yet to be realized in the region, but can be sustainable harnessed with the aid of contemporary integrated water resource management innovations. The NE region of Nigeria lies in the middle of various crisis ranging from natural (climate change, desert encroachment, drought, decreasing annual rainfall, disappearing of water landmarks, etc.) to anthropogenic (infrastructure deficits, impending conflicts and disputes (i.e. Boko Haram crisis and headers-farmers conflicts), rural urban migration, heavy dependence on low skills jobs, etc.). The present research work focused on only the region quotfinite fresh water resources ; explicitly, the surface and groundwater resources. A comprehensive geographic analysis of the region water resources is conducted. Various water resource management data (both quantitative and qualitative data) were collected and analyzed concurrently. Based on the descriptive nature of the study, the quantitative data were analyzed using simple descriptive techniques; the mean, mode, median, standard deviation and one sample t test whereas the qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. Various statistical techniques; such as simple percentages, frequency distribution tables, pie chart, bar chart, histogram as well as various GIS techniques were used in the analysis and presentation of the results. The study examined various relevant issues and phenomena associated to the region integrated water resource management as well as their respective implications on this region developmental growths and prospection. Moreover, pertinent key water resource priority in the region were identified; explicitly, the Chad Basin Drainage System and Upper Benue Drainage System as well as their respecti