It has become the norm in Nigeria to wait for a capital infusion to rehabilitate, replacing instead of maintaining the infrastructure. But declining financial resources are making this less feasible, and the deterioration is accelerating. Compounding the situation is the rapid urbanization, mostly migration from rural areas. The number of people living in Nigeria's towns and cities is expected to double to 80 million in the next 13 years and reach 100 million by 2010. Urban Growth Trying to control or limit rural migration is unrealistic.
Urbanization is a positive force in development.
Cities and towns are home to most industry, commerce, and services, all of which can be highly productive. Per capita incomes in towns and cities are roughly a third higher than in rural areas. Nigeria's urban population, over the period 1980-1993, grew at an astonishing 5.5 percent a year, compared with 2.9 percent nationwide. Many urban Nigerians, however, do not earn enough to cover even basic needs. They, more than anybody, suffer from the breakdown in urban infrastructure, especially through poor health.