Manufacturing Companies in Nigeria – SS2 Geography Lesson Note (Second Term)

The manufacturing industry is the industry that turns raw materials into new products by mechanical or chemical processes, at home or in the factory.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. define the manufacturing industry;
2. state the characteristics of manufacturing industries in Nigeria;
3. classify manufacturing industries into light, consumer goods and heavy industries, and into primary, secondary and tertiary industries;
4. list the factors that affect the location of industries and the reasons why most industries are sited in urban areas;
5. state the advantages and disadvantages of concentrating industries in one area;
6. name the local craft industries and the industrial zones of Nigeria, with the towns where they are found.

What are the characteristics of manufacturing industries in Nigeria?

1. Most Nigerian industries rely on skilled labour from foreign countries.
2. Most industries also depend on foreign countries for their raw materials.
3. Industries are concentrated in a few locations, especially in urban centres.
4. Most manufacturing industries are light industries.
5. They are labour intensive, that is, they require a large labour force.
6. Their produce is mainly consumed in the local market.
7. They are largely small-scale.

How are manufacturing industries classified?

Manufacturing industries can be grouped into three: light industries, consumer goods industries and heavy industries.

Light industries

• They produce relatively lightweight goods such as matches, television sets, electric fans and books.
• They employ mainly the services of women.
• They produce final or consumable goods.

Consumer goods industries

• They turn raw materials into consumable goods.
• They are normally located in cities.

Heavy industries

• They produce heavy or bulky goods.
• They employ mainly males.
• Examples include metallurgical industries, petroleum industries and shipbuilding industries.

Industries can also be classified into primary, secondary and tertiary industries, based on their functions.

Primary industries

• They are concerned with the extraction of raw materials provided by nature.
• They are also known as extractive industries.
• Examples include mining, fishing, lumbering, farming and livestock production.

Secondary industries

• They are concerned with the turning of raw materials into finished goods.
• Examples include construction, building and chemical industries.

Tertiary industries

• They are concerned with the rendering of services.
• The service can be direct, for example trading, banking, teaching and medical services.
• The service can be indirect, for example the police, customs and soldiers.

What factors affect the location of industries?

1. Proximity of the source of raw materials.
2. Nearness to market.
3. Nearness to sources of power.
4. Availability of labour.
5. Availability of capital.
6. Adequate transport network.
7. Government policies.
8. Political stability.

Why are most manufacturing industries sited in urban areas?

1. Large market.
2. Availability of labour.
3. Good transport network.
4. Nearness to seaports and airports.
5. Availability of finance.
6. Presence of infrastructure facilities.

What is localisation of industries?

Localisation of industries is the siting of industries in a particular area, that is, the concentration of industries in one area.

Advantages of concentration of industries

1. It leads to the interdependence of industries.
2. It creates employment opportunities.
3. It aids the mobility of labour.
4. It leads to the provision of social amenities.
5. It encourages healthy competition among industries.
6. It leads to the development of organised markets, for example cooperative societies.
7. It attracts subsidiary industries to the area.
8. It leads to inventions and innovations because of competition among industries.

Disadvantages of concentration of industries

1. It leads to congestion in traffic, industries and housing.
2. It can lead to a shortage of amenities.
3. It can increase crime rates, such as armed robbery and car snatching.
4. It can cause environmental pollution because of the presence of many industries.
5. The area becomes a target of attack during wartime.
6. It encourages rural-urban migration.

What are local craft (cottage) industries in Nigeria?

Local craft or cottage industries are industries that depend mainly on raw materials obtained from their immediate locality. They use simple tools and their work is of high artistic quality. They include:

1. Leather works, for example sandals, cushions and handbags. They are mostly found in Kano, Bida and Sokoto.
2. Wood carving: This is done in Ikot Ekpene, Uyo, Oyo and Benin City.
3. Pottery and glass making: These are done in Ikot Ekpene, Bida, Ilorin and Calabar.
4. Rope and mat making: These are done in Ikot Ekpene, Warri and Kano.
5. Brass and silver works: These are done in Bida, Benin and Kano.
6. Textile and cloth weaving: These are done in Akwette, Okene, Kano and Iseyin.

What are the modern industrial zones in Nigeria?

1. The western industrial zone: This includes Lagos, Ibadan, Sango Ota, Abeokuta, Epe, Apapa, Ewekoro and Oshogbo.
2. The South-East industrial zone: This includes Nkalagu, Onitsha, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Aba, Owerri and Calabar.
3. The North-Central industrial zone: This includes Kano, Kaduna, Jos and Zaria.
4. The Midwest industrial zone: This includes Warri, Benin, Sapele and Ughelli.

Evaluation

1. Define the manufacturing industry.
2. State four characteristics of manufacturing industries in Nigeria.
3. Distinguish between primary, secondary and tertiary industries, giving one example of each.
4. State three advantages and three disadvantages of the concentration of industries.
5. Name two local craft industries and one town where each is found.

Assignment

1. State two reasons why most manufacturing industries are sited in cities.
2. On a sketch map of Nigeria, show and name:
   1. one industrial zone in the west;
   2. one industrial zone in the east.