Abstract

The paper provides empirical data on the media habits of rural women in Northern Nigeria and their implications for afforestation information dissemination. In executing the survey, a multi-stage sampling procedure was adopted. The sample consisted of six hundred rural women in each of the twenty-five (25) local government areas of Borno, Sokoto and Plateau States, representing the three (3) geographical and ecological zones of Northern Nigeria. The survey establishes the radio as the most veritable channel for generating awareness among the study sample, with music/dance and drama being the women's most favourite programmes on both radio and television. However, socio-cultural factors such as restricted mobility outside the homes, the role of women in traditional societies, etc., constrain the respondents' exposure to mobile cinema. Thus, the interpersonal networks of the various socio-economic and religious groups of which the women are members, coupled with the mass media, provide a good media mix for afforestation information dissemination among the rural women subjects of the study.