Migration and socio-economic links between urban migrants and their home communities in Nigeria
Adepoju, A.
Africa 44(4): 383-396
1974
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-9720 DOI: 10.2307/1159058Document Number: 521982
The conclusions drawn in this article are based on a study of immigration into towns carried out in two Nigerian urban centres (Ife and Oshogbo) in 1971/72. Most of the heads of households interviewed were still young, had received a school education, were self-employed or had a reasonably paid job. About 90 per cent. were Yoruba. Almost all the migrants retained contacts with their place of origin and returned there, 80 per cent. went back frequently, 2-12 times per year. This frequency varied with age of migrant, his occupation, and matrimonial status. These visits reinforce the identification with the ancestral home and prepare the migrant for the time when he will return for good after living in the town. Not all the migrants who returned home sent money. Those who did (62 per cent. in Ife and 54 per cent. in Oshogbo) sent sums which were substantial by rural standards, and in relation to their earnings (8-12 per cent.). The money is used for education and for carrying out projects. In many cases these contributions more than compensate for the absence of the migrant from the rural labour force.