Modelling and Forecasting Urban Population Growth in Nigeria Using Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) Models

  • Gbenga Adelekan Olalude
  • Emmanuel Oluwasegun Esiegbe
  • Peter Ayo Alabi
Keywords: ARIMA model, Box-Jenkins method, differencing, Nigeria, unit root test, urban population growth

Abstract

We used the univariate autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model with the Box and Jenkins method to model and predict the yearly urban population growth rate in Nigeria from 2023 to 2030, using data spanning from 1961 to 2022. We checked the stationarity of the data obtained from the World Development Indicators using time plots, ACF, PACF, and unit root tests. Initially, the plot and test results suggest non-stationarity in the data; however, after first differencing, it becomes stationary, indicating integration of order one. The combination of the ACF and PACF plots, as well as our judgment and expertise, informed our decision about the AR and MA components used in our model choice. After applying selection criteria like loglikelihood, AIC, and BIC to compare all the results of the fitted ARIMA models, we identified the ARIMA (1, 1, 10) model as the most suitable model. The diagnostic tests carried out also confirm that the residuals of the model are normally distributed and uncorrelated. The model was confirmed to be stable and highly accurate based on the result of the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), root mean square error (RMSE), and mean absolute error (MAE), and a forecast of the annual urban population growth in Nigeria for a period of 8 years from 2023 to 2030 was made. We discovered a consistent rise in urban population growth in Nigeria throughout the forecast period, which presents both challenges and opportunities for Nigerian cities. Therefore, strategic efforts to accommodate the anticipated population surge and foster sustainable urban development in Nigeria should be enacted.

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Published
2024-10-14
How to Cite
Olalude, G. A., Esiegbe, E. O., & Alabi, P. A. (2024). Modelling and Forecasting Urban Population Growth in Nigeria Using Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) Models. European Journal of Science, Innovation and Technology, 4(4), 311-327. Retrieved from https://ejsit-journal.com/index.php/ejsit/article/view/521
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Articles