(a) Draw a sketch map of Nigeria. On the map, locate and name' (i) the Mid-West industrial zone; (ii) the South-East industrial zone' (iii) the North-Centra...

(a) Sketch map of Nigeria showing the industrial zones

Key: MW = Mid-West industrial zone; SE = South-East industrial zone; NC = North-Central industrial zone.

• Mid-West industrial zone: the Benin City, Sapele and Warri area. Important town: Warri.
• South-East industrial zone: the Enugu, Onitsha, Aba and Port Harcourt area. Important town: Aba.
• North-Central industrial zone: the Kaduna, Zaria and Jos area. Important town: Kaduna.

(b) Problems facing manufacturing industries in Nigeria

1. Erratic power supply: Industries spend heavily on generators and fuel when public electricity supply fails.
2. Inadequate capital: Many manufacturers cannot obtain sufficient long-term loans to buy machinery, raw materials or expand production.
3. Dependence on imported raw materials, machinery and spare parts: Foreign exchange shortages and high import costs raise production costs and interrupt production.

(c) Solutions to two of the problems

1. Improving power supply: Government and private power producers should expand electricity generation, transmission and distribution, while industries can use reliable alternative energy sources such as gas and solar power.
2. Providing capital and local inputs: Banks and government should provide low-interest industrial loans and tax incentives. Local raw materials should be developed, while local fabrication of machinery and spare parts should be encouraged to reduce import dependence.