Well-being of rural households around Ikere-Gorge dam in Oyo State, Nigeria

The study investigated the well-being of rural households around Ikere-Gorge dam operated in South-western Nigeria. Ninety rural households were sampled in four communities, using a multistage sampling procedure. Data were analysed using frequency counts, percentages, means and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (at α_0.05). Majority of the household heads were males (84.4%), married (86.7%), Christians (56.7%), had no or primary education (74.5%) with average age of 42.28 ± 7.63 years. Marginalization by government (91.1%), elite capture of support services (90.0%) and lack of extension services (83.3%) were rated major constraints to livelihood by majority. The dam served benefits such as availability of water for domestic use (x¯ = 2.83), improved socioeconomic development (x¯ = 2.56), and recreational and tourism services (x¯ = 2.42). Both quality of life (x¯ = 1.73) and health (x¯ = 1.88) indicators of well-being were generally low. Constraint to livelihood had a significant relationship (r = −0.323) with respondents’ overall well-being. The study concluded that households around dams are faced with multi-dimensional challenges at varying degrees, with negative implications for livelihood and well-being of rural households.