Resources Utilization – Basic 6 Social Studies Lesson Note (Second Term)

LEARNING OBJECTIVES By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Appreciate the importance of natural resources to the country
2. Describe overutilization of resources and itemize implications
3. Describe underutilization of resources and mention dangers

Importance of natural resources

Natural Resources: Materials or substances found in nature that are valuable to humans.

Types:

1. Renewable: Can be replaced (water, forests, solar energy)

1. Non-renewable: Cannot be replaced (crude oil, minerals, coal)

IMPORTANCE TO NIGERIA:

1. Economic Development:

• Source of income (oil revenue)
• Foreign exchange earnings
• Employment creation
• Government revenue

2. Raw Materials:

• Industries use natural resources
• Manufacturing sector depends on them
• Production of goods

3. Energy Production:

• Crude oil for fuel
• Natural gas for electricity
• Hydroelectricity from water

4. Food Production:

• Fertile soil for farming
• Water for irrigation
• Fish from rivers and ocean

5. Export:

• Sell resources abroad
• Generate foreign exchange
• International trade

MAJOR NATURAL RESOURCES IN NIGERIA:

• Crude oil and natural gas
• Solid minerals (tin, coal, limestone, gold)
• Forest resources (timber)
• Water resources (rivers, lakes)
• Agricultural land
• Marine resources (fish)

Overutilization of natural resources

Definition: Using natural resources excessively beyond their capacity to regenerate or renew.

Examples:

1. Crude Oil:

• Excessive extraction
• Gas flaring
• Oil spillage
• Environmental pollution

2. Forests:

• Excessive logging
• Deforestation
• No replanting
• Bush burning

3. Water:

• Overuse of groundwater
• Pollution of water bodies
• Industrial waste dumping

4. Land:

• Over-farming without fertilizer
• Soil erosion
• Desertification

5. Fish:

• Overfishing
• Use of chemicals
• Destruction of marine life

Dangers/implications of overutilization:

1. Resource Depletion:

• Resources finish completely
• Nothing left for future generations
• Economic crisis

2. Environmental Degradation:

• Pollution of air, water, land
• Climate change
• Global warming
• Loss of biodiversity

3. Economic Problems:

• Loss of income source
• Industries close
• Unemployment increases
• Poverty

4. Health Issues:

• Polluted water causes diseases
• Air pollution affects breathing
• Contaminated food
• Cancer from chemicals

5. Desertification:

• Land becomes desert
• Cannot farm
• Food shortage
• Migration

6. Flooding:

• Deforestation causes flooding
• Loss of lives and property
• Displacement of people

7. Loss of Wildlife:

• Animals lose habitat
• Species extinction
• Ecological imbalance

8. Climate Change:

• Irregular rainfall
• Extreme temperatures
• Droughts and floods
• Unpredictable weather

Underutilization of natural resources

Definition: Not using natural resources adequately or to their full potential.

Examples in Nigeria:

1. Solid Minerals:

• Gold, tin, coal not fully exploited
• Focus only on oil
• Minerals remain underground
• Little mining activities

2. Agricultural Land:

• Large arable land not cultivated
• Youth abandon farming
• Imported food despite fertile land

3. Tourism:

• Beautiful sites not developed
• No tourist infrastructure
• Lost revenue

4. Solar Energy:

• Abundant sunshine not utilized
• Few solar panels
• Still depend on generators
• No investment in renewable energy

5. Water Resources:

• Rivers and lakes not used for transport
• Limited irrigation
• Hydroelectricity potential wasted

Problems of underutilization:

1. Economic Loss:

• Potential income wasted
• Missed revenue opportunities
• Dependency on imports

2. Unemployment:

• Industries not created
• Jobs not available
• Youth idleness

3. Poverty:

• Resources unused
• People remain poor
• No development

4. Overdependence on Oil:

• Mono-economy
• Vulnerable to oil price fall
• Economic instability

5. Importation:

• Buy what we can produce
• Foreign exchange wasted
• Trade deficit

6. Food Insecurity:

• Not farming enough
• Importing food
• Hunger and malnutrition

7. Underdevelopment:

• Country not growing
• Infrastructure lacking
• Technological backwardness

8. Brain Drain:

• No opportunities
• Qualified people leave
• Loss of human capital

SOLUTIONS:

For Overutilization:

1. Conservation programs
2. Sustainable use
3. Reforestation
4. Pollution control
5. Renewable energy
6. Education and awareness
7. Strict laws and enforcement

For Underutilization:

1. Investment in other sectors
2. Diversification of economy
3. Encourage mining
4. Support agriculture
5. Develop tourism
6. Technology and infrastructure
7. Government policies
8. Private sector involvement

EVALUATION

1. What are natural resources?
2. Why are natural resources important?
3. What is overutilization? Give two examples
4. List three dangers of overutilization
5. What is underutilization? Give two examples

HOMEWORK

1. List five natural resources in Nigeria and their uses
2. Explain the dangers of overutilizing natural resources
3. Why is Nigeria underutilizing some resources?
4. Suggest five ways to manage natural resources sustainably
5. How does resource management affect economic development?