The Effects of Population Growth on Deforestation in Nigeria: 1991 – 2016

Abstract

This study examines the effects of population growth on deforestation in Nigeria between 1991 and 2016. Anthropogenic factors especially population growth were identified to be the major forces responsible for deforestation in Nigeria. The Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) test was used to establish stationarity among the variables and the Johansen cointegration test was used to establish a long run relationship between population growth and deforestation in Nigeria. Population growth was found to have a negative effect on the available forest cover in Nigeria. The study therefore recommends the development of rural areas, enactment of policies aimed at reducing population growth and sensitization to protect the available forest resources in Nigeria.

Keywords: forests, deforestation, population growth