Application of human development index to measurement of deprivations among urban households in Minna, Nigeria

The human development index (HDI) as a measure of human well-being became popular with the publication of the first report on human development in 1990 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Not only has the index been accepted by academics, policy makers, governments and development agencies, it has become a means of ranking countries annually. While the HDI offers a composite index that summarises basic choices available to people, it has been criticized on many grounds. For example, it is argued that it does not capture the totality of issues that affect human well-being. Hence, efforts are being made to widen the scope of issues covered by the index. This work contributes to these efforts. The study examines housing facilities, housing adequacy, housing space and solid waste disposal as part of issues that affect human development. While the possession of these amenities by households within their dwelling units contribute to human development, their absence will constitute some form of deprivation.