Internal Migration and Internally Displaced Persons in Nigeria: Demographic Determinants and Policy Implications

Abstract

Nigeria is faced with problem of internally displaced persons (IDPs). Explosion in the development of urban areas due to rural-urban migration in the past two decades has deterred the reality of sustainable human settlement pattern. Unresolved problems emanating from issues pertaining to human settlement have hindered government policies and solutions to these problems have continued to be a mystery in Nigeria. Worsening socio-economic condition of the country has remained the main cause of Nigerians not only migrating to urban areas in search of better economic opportunities but also emigrating out of the country. This paper examined internal migration and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria, determinants and policy implications. The methodology used for the study was extensive review of scholarly papers on the topic. Findings showed that Nigeria is yet to achieve the desirable mobility transition due to the high rate of rural-urban migration leading to over-congestion and slums in the cities. This has deterred sustainable settlement pattern in most cities in Nigeria. It was recommended that migration policies should be tailored towards promoting even development in order to reduce urbanisation. Policies also need to be scaled towards reducing brain drain in sub-Saharan African countries such as Nigeria.