Livelihood in University of Ibadan Social Laboratory in Ileogbo Community of Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Livelihoods are both economic activities (agricultural and non-agricultural) and non-economic activities that people know, own and undertake to earn income today and into the future. This study identifies livelihood activities, abilities, and assets in University of Ibadan social laboratory (Ileogbo community of Osun State, Nigeria). One hundred and eighty respondents were sampled through multistage sampling technique. Qualitative (In-depth Interview with Key Informants and Focus Group Discussion) and quantitative (Interview Schedule) surveys were conducted. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used in analyzing the data collected. Result of analysis revealed that 85.8 percent were within ages 20-50 years, 51.7 percent were male, 80.1 percent were married, 54.0 percent were Muslims, 42.1 percent completed secondary school, and 60.2 percent were farmers. More than average of respondents (58.0 percent) had household size of between 1 - 5, 36.9 percent travelled out of the community more than once a week, and 42.6 percent earned averagely between =N=5,000 - =N=15,000 monthly. 77.3 percent of respondents had a low level of livelihood abilities, 80.1 percent had low level of access to natural capital, 80.7 percent had an average level of access to physical capital, 60.2 percent had an average level of access to financial capital, 73.9 percent had a low level of access to human capital, and 79.0 percent had a low level of access to social capital. Result of analysis also showed that 66.5 percent, 55.1 percent and 72.1 percent of respondents had low socio-economic status (poor), access to capital assets, and level of livelihood activities respectively. Significant relationships exist between livelihood abilities (r=0.436, p=0.000), capital assets (r=0.194, p=0.027), socio-economic status (r=0.167, p=0.028), and livelihood activities of respondents. 24 percent of the level of livelihood activities of the respondents was accounted for by livelihood abilities (7.0%), capital assets (0.7 percent), and socio-economic status (1.8%). It is therefore concluded that livelihood abilities contribute more to livelihood activities than access to capital assets and socio-economic status. More so, socio-economic status is directly proportional to livelihood activities. It is recommended that provision of technical, and vocational education, as well as capacity building should be provided by government and non-governmental agencies in Ileogbo, Osun State.