ASSESSMENT OF THE PRODUCTION AND USES OF CERAMIC TILES IN SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

The study is targeted at assessment of the production and uses of ceramic tiles in southwestern Nigeria. About 80% of ceramic tiles are imported since the few tile producing industries in the country do not have the capacity to satisfy the huge demand for the products. The research effort is therefore, aimed at investigating the current production status and uses of ceramic tiles in south western Nigeria with a view to suggesting ways to promoting its use and at enhancing the indigenous production. It is a combination of qualitative and quantitative research which is social and experimental in nature. The experimental aspect is strived at producing porcelain tiles using local raw materials from the Southwestern part of Nigeria as a cost effective alternative to imported ceramics. In order to achieve the above, field trips were made to different locations in Southwestern Nigeria to collect samples of kaolin (from Ifon), feldspar (from Ijero) and silica (from Igbokoda). A twenty-one (21) member triaxial experimental blend was used to determine the selected materials. Based on preliminary test result, blend 12 with composition of 20% kaolin, 60% silica and 20% feldspar was chosen for the study. However, the test with the above composition was not successful, at the point of application on a larger tile surface. The need for a re-adjustment of the composition with addition of limestone was adopted. The re-adjusted composition was fired to a temperature of 1280oC. The fired samples were successful and could match up with the Nigeria (NIS) and international standard (ISO). The qualitative aspect of the study has to do with the objectives of identifying the sizes of ceramic tiles commonly demanded, the sources of ceramic tiles available in Nigerian market, the factors responsible for the incessant collapse of ceramic industries in the Nigeria as well as the identification of tile consumer preference in the study area. In order to achieve the objectives, one thousand, one hundred and six (1,106) structured questionnaires were administered to elicit respondent opinions. In all, one thousand and twelve (1,012) collected questionnaires were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as percentage /proportions, multiple bar charts for comparism and chi-square test of independence. Anova and pair wise comparism tests were used as inferential statistics. Acceptable error level was (the precision) taken as 0.05. Based on the analysis, the research indicated specifically that tiles size 400x400mm are the most commonly found in the Nigeria market, Italian tiles are the most commonly supplied and demanded for in Nigeria, high cost of production is responsible for the incessant collapse of most ceramic tile producing outfits in Nigeria and durability was identified as an outstanding property which determines the choice of ceramic tiles in the Nigerian market. It recommended, that Government should give financial assistance in form of tax holiday, reduction of electricity tariff, provision of social amenities at the Government cost and drastic reduction in prices of gas use in firing the tiles. The adoption of the recommendations of this research work by the Government, producers and studio ceramist will definitely enhance the local production of ceramic tiles which is currently put at only 20%.