INFLUENCE OF EXTENSION EDUCATION ON RESIDENTS’ WASTE DISPOSAL PRACTICES IN ABEOKUTA AREA OF OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study investigated the influence of the level of awareness and use of environmental extension education information obtained from public extension education programs on environmental sanitation and wastes disposal practices by residents of Abeokuta South Local government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria.  A total of 450 residents were interviewed while senior environmental health officials of Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA) responded to a questionnaire.  Data collected were analyzed using frequency, percentages and chi-square.  Results indicated that majority (94%) of residents disposed wastes improperly, making the city quite dirty.  The level of awareness and use of environmental education information obtained through extension education is low (36%).  However, the level of awareness and use of information obtained through extension education methods influenced residents’ environmental sanitation and waste disposal practices (χ² =68.65, α<.05) Radio and TV were the commonest sources of environmental education information.   Residents’ level of income (χ² =78.3, α<.05) and years of formal education (χ² =79.64, α<.05) acquired had significant relationship with their waste disposal improperly because of inability to afford out-door refuse drums (bins), fees charged by private environmental sanitation agencies and far (distant) location of refuse disposal houses.  The major recommendations of the study included intensification of public extension education programs on environmental sanitation, stricker enforcement of environmental sanitation laws, building more refuse disposal houses and provision of out-door refuse bins (placed in strategic places) by government.