Abstract:
Lakes provide scenic attractions that are often exploited to promote tourism. They create
opportunities for the diversification of local and national economy. Previous studies have
focused on the roles of natural and artificial lakes as sources of energy generation and food
production, with little attention to their contribution to the well-being of the host
communities. Therefore, this study investigated the influence of artificial lake tourism on
human well-being in selected communities in Oyo State, Nigeria.
Maslow's theory of human motivation served as the framework, while descriptive design
was adopted. One artificial lake host community in Oyo State was purposively selected from
each of the six political divisions (Ibadan-Eleyele), (Ibarapa-Opeki), (Oyo-Erelu),
(Ogbomoso-Yaku), (Oke Ogun 1-Ikere gorge) and (Oke Ogun 2-Afonse). A sample size of
400 respondents was determined using Taro Yamen’s formula, while Bourley’s allocation
formula was used to achieve proportionate-to-size samples from each zone (Eleyele-45,
Opeki-51, Erelu-73, Yaku-86, Ikere gorge-110 and Afonse-35). A structured questionnaire
was administered to residents of the communities on their perception of the socio-economic
benefits of the artificial lakes. The respondents were purposively selected within 200 meters
from the artificial lake sites. Six Lake Scheme Officers (five from Oyo State Water
Corporation and one from Ogun/Osun River Basin Authority), were purposively selected as
Key Informants. Frequency analysis, linear regression, K-Nearest Neighbour, Factor
Analysis and Chi-Square were used to analyse the quantitative data at α = 0.05, while the
qualitative data were content-analysed.
Residents’ age was 35.0±8.7 years, 65.3% were male and 64.6% were married. Artificial
lake tourism contributed to perceived reduction of poverty (97.0%), improved water
management (73.0%), enhanced economic productivity through job diversification (96.0%)
and improved community transportation system (97.0%). Income generation in the lake
communities was influenced by marital status (β = 0.24), employment (β = 0.27) and
education (β = 0.33). Efficient water management was enhanced through the preservation
of artificial lakes (3.0), reduction of poverty (3.0) and development of existing artificial
lakes (2.0). Community well-being was enhanced through the promotion of productive
employment and decent work (21.8%). Artificial lake tourism improved economic
productivity (χ2=1.12). Artificial lake tourism did not improve water management. The
awareness of existence of artificial lake did not influenced the perception of the adequacy
of existing transportation infrastructure in the communities. Artificial lake tourism had a
positive impact on the well-being of the communities around the lakes, however, the
communities suffered from negative impacts such as water, air, soil and noise pollutions
due to tourists’ inflow.
Artificial lake tourism improved the well-being of people in their host communities in Oyo
State. It enhances poverty reduction, water management, economic productivity, and
community transportation system. Therefore, there is a need for government and publicprivate partnerships to address the pollution challenge arising from artificial lake tourism.
