Investigating the dynamics urban growth and health in Nigeria: some lessons from food and drink industries

Babatunde J. Omotosho, Federal University Oye-Ekiti

Cities across Nigeria experience the influx of food and drink industries due to social and economic benefits inherent within cities. This development portends challenges for the urban consumers due to a compromise of quality on the part of these food and drink industries. Interestingly, the state has risen to this challenge by establishing food and drug regulatory body to monitor and regulate what people consume. This study examined how urbanites respond to this intervention meant to safeguard their health in Ado-Ekiti south west Nigeria. Findings revealed that 71.6% of the respondents were not observing the information placed on products to safeguard their health. The IDI conducted attributed this action to religious beliefs, literacy level and lack of trust on the agency’s measures aimed at safeguarding their health. However, in spite of not observing regulator’s information regularly, respondents have devised ways of ascertaining the safety of what they consume.