The status of acoustics in Nigeria: A paper in honour of Professor Alex I. Menkiti

Abstract

In assessing the status of acoustics in Nigeria, efforts have been made to review the work of researchers of various nationalities, appraise the role of some countries of the world vis-à-vis that of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in promoting anti-noise laws, ordinances and other governmental acoustical matters that bother on noise. Expounded in this study are the published works of many Nigerians in acoustical physics as pioneered by Professor Alex I. Menkiti, the honoree. The different areas are architectural and room acoustics, environmental noise pollution and control, traffic noise, community and indoor noise, industrial and occupational noise, and atmospheric and jungle acoustics. Results have shown characteristics of some available local materials that could find application in vibration and structure-borne noise isolation. Most of the results in environmental acoustics have also characterized cities where the investigations were conducted with remarkable consistency with those of early surveys with similar features. It is believed that acoustical research in Nigeria will be given more attention and greater impetus in future.

Keywords: Acoustics, Nigeria, traffic noise, environmental acoustics and jungle acoustics.

Nigerian Journal of Physics Vol. 19 (1) 2007: pp. 139-180