This study examines the role of an urban informal transport sub-sector; the motorcycle taxis (popularly called 'okada'), towards the provision of self-employment and income-generating opportunities for many of the urban unemployed in South West Nigeria. The data for the study was generated from a survey of 777 randomly selected auto cycle riders in two cities in Nigeria and the SPSS software aided data analyses. In addition to the descriptive analyses, two econometric models were specified and estimated using the OLS technique. The study revealed that the subsector is a high employer of young school leavers in the accident-prone job of okada riding. Earnings analyses show that 86% of the operators earn above the minimum wage level while human capital variables explain earnings distribution. Implications of the findings of the study point to the need for a more rigorous regulation of the sector to promote safety of operators and passengers.

Refuse dumpsites are found both within and on the outskirts of cities in Nigeria and due to poor and ineffective management, the dumpsites turn to sources of health hazards to people living in the vicinity of such dumps. This study was designed to examine the health and economic implications of solid waste disposal among sampled residents of two major refuse disposal dumps in Lagos, Nigeria. The data used for the study were generated from primary source, while SPSS software was used in the data analyses. In addition to the descriptive analysis which forms the bedrock for the conclusion drawn in this paper, both linear probability and ordinary least squares regression models were also used in the analyses. The models examined the determinants of health status as well as the labour supply of the sampled respondents respectively. The results show that pollution variables are statistically significant in the determination of health status as well as the labour supply performance of respondents. Based on these findings, policy measures that would enhance the health status and improved labour market performance of residents were proposed.

Purpose-The purpose of this paper is to examine the role that social capital plays in the determination and distribution of business earnings of female entrepreneurs in selected rural communities of Ogun State, Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach-The theoretical foundation of social capital and its relationship to informal finance was used in a modified Mincer's model to examine the distribution of earnings among a sample of members of informal self-help groups. The study relied on a set of secondary data collected from a survey of 275 female micro-entrepreneurs in five rural communities in Ogun State, Nigeria. The analysis of data was done with the use of SPSS computer software while the ordinary least squares regression technique was used in the models' estimation. Findings-The findings show that though human capital variables contribute to earnings in the usual Mincer's parlance, social capital as well as neighbourhood effect variables appear much more important determinants. Originality/value-The study quantified and applied five social capital variables in the estimated earnings function and three of these variables were found to be statistically significant in their effects on earnings distribution among the study sample. The study concluded by advocating a multidisciplinary approach to the study of enterprise development as well as a coordinated approach by the government to promote self-help organisations among women in the rural areas.