THE DETERMINANT FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO HIGH RATE OF YOUTH RELOCATION FROM NIGERIA: A REVIEW OF PUBLIC PERCEPTION

CHAPTER ONE:

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

Migration across international borders has been recognized as a significant factor in the development of national economies all over the globe. Migration across national borders is one of the key forces that has been playing a significant role in the acceleration of globalization over the last several decades. The patterns of this movement have, over the course of many years, been affecting the size, structure, and efficiency of labor markets, as well as culture, political conditions, and individuals in many different nations all over the world (Abdur-Rokib, 2022). Ongoing discussion can be found on the effects that international migration has not only on the countries that are sending and receiving migrants, but also on the migrants themselves. What will happen if huge numbers of low-skilled people as well as highly skilled workers from developing nations come to more developed ones? Migration issues are viewed differently by various nations, organizations, and academics due to the complexity of the topic. Many wealthy nations have made it possible for highly trained workers from poor countries to immigrate to their country and work there. While some may see the advantages of cross-border migration as outweighing its costs, others may believe that high levels of population mobility have a detrimental impact on the vitality of their nations' labor markets. According to Adewale (2015), migration is defined as the movement of people from one geographical location to another on a temporary or permanent basis. Migration may take place on a temporary basis as well. Migration is a sifting process that only impacts people or families with certain economic, social, educational, and demographic attributes (Ajero, 2019). In the beginning, migration was seen in a positive light because it was believed that it was a natural process that transferred surplus labor from the rural sector to the urban industrial sector. Additionally, it was believed that migrants would find jobs in urban areas that paid well and send remittances back to their families, thereby improving the welfare of those who remained in rural areas (Ango, 2018). Unfortunately, this has not been the case in recent years due to the phenomenon of urban surplus labor, which has led to urban unemployment problems (Amrevurayire, 2016) and urban cash economies, in which a decline in wages makes people vulnerable to a multitude of problems that are even worse than in the rural areas (Aromolaran, 2020). People have a tendency to be drawn to areas of economic growth and exhorted to leave areas of economic stagnation. In doing so, they place a greater emphasis on the benefits that can be obtained by moving and pay less attention to the difficulties and obstacles that they may face as a result of the movement (Aworemi, 2022). People with certain economic, social, educational, and demographic characteristics are more likely to migrate (Amrevurayire and Ojeh, 2016). Migration follows a number of patterns in the spatial dimension, some of which are urban-urban migration, urban-rural migration, rural-rural migration, and rural-urban migration (Aworemi, 2022). Because of the disparity in income between rural and urban areas and the higher quality of life that can be found in metropolitan centers, rural residents often relocate to urban areas in the hope of finding better job prospects. This phenomenon is known as rural-urban migration. There are three categories of factors that are thought to be responsible for migration. These include those that are associated with the requirement for education and the acquisition of skills in a variety of vocations; those that are associated with the lack of desirable job opportunities in rural areas, which include the absence of employment, the absence of industries and companies, and boredom in agriculture; and finally, those that are associated with social factors, such as inadequate amenities (Bezemer, 2018). Relocation can also be linked to economic issues, an improved standard of living, inadequate health services, and other amenities and infrastructure in urban centers. Relocation can also be associated with improved standard of living. Migration from rural areas to urban centers causes various difficulties in both the rural and the urban settings. The movement has led to an increase in human and environmental poverty, a decline in the quality of life, and an unrealized and untapped abundance of human resources. Additionally, it has led to a fast degradation of the rural economy, which has resulted in chronic poverty and food insecurity (Agbola, 2022). In addition, inadequate housing and associated facilities (such as water, electricity, and waste disposal) in the urban areas have led to millions of people living in substandard environments known as slums and grossly inadequate social amenities, such as a shortage of schools, poor health facilities, and a lack of opportunities for recreation, amongst other things. Migration to urban regions puts strain on the limited supply of suitable housing, which has led to a rise in the number of urban inhabitants who are now found to dwell in informal housing (Amrevurayire & Ojeh, 2016). Rural areas share this cost via loss of workforce essential for agricultural operations and output. It also leads to a decrease in agricultural output, which, in turn, contributes to a lack of food security and an increase in the cost of food. Agriculture, which previous to the discovery of oil was the backbone of Nigeria's economy with activities focused in the rural regions, was largely demoted to the background resulting to the country's mono-economy status. As a result of this, Nigeria is now classified as a mono-economy (Amrevurayire and Ojeh, 2016). Therefore, this study will examine the determinant factors contributing to high rate of youth relocation from Nigeria: A case study of public perception.

1.2 Statement of the problem

Since the inception of human civilization, there has always been a need to move things around. People have always moved from one location to another in search of better opportunities in a different location. This conduct is as old as the hills. Although the majority of moves are made voluntarily, there are certain instances in which people are forced to relocate due to circumstances beyond their control. Some examples of these situations include travel as a consequence of war, conflict, natural catastrophes, or economic hardship (Clemens, 2021). Over the past few years, there has been an increase in the amount of attention that has been given in academic circles to the subject of relocating. However, the migration of young people from Nigeria to other countries can be attributed to a wide variety of causes, including but not limited to the following: Lack of work possibilities in developing nations, particularly Nigeria, which is a significant driving factor for international migration; high rates of insecurity; ongoing strikes by academic unions; and a great number of other factors (Docquier, 2020). Hence the need to look into the determinant factors contributing to high rate of youth relocation from Nigeria: A case study of public perception.

1.3 Objective of the study

The general objective of the study is to examine the determinant factors contributing to high rate of youth relocation from Nigeria: A review of public perception. The specific objective is as follows:

i.          To find out the public perception on factors responsible for high rate of youth relocation from Nigeria.

ii.        To find out the public perception on the effect of youth relocation from Nigeria

iii.      To investigate whether government makes policy that will  make life more meaningful for our Nigerian youths

iv.      To make recommendations on how the government can improve the standard of living in other to reduce the high rate of relocation from Nigeria.

1.4 Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study:

i.          What are the public perception on factors responsible for high rate of youth relocation from Nigeria?

ii.        What are the public perception on the effect of youth relocation from Nigeria

iii.      Does  government makes policy that will  make life more meaningful for our Nigerian youths?

iv.      What are the recommendations on how government can improve the standard of living in other to reduce the high rate of relocation from Nigeria?

1.5 Significance of the study

This study is significant to the Nigerian government as it will expose them to the high rate of unemployment in the country which in turn makes youth emigrate from Nigeria to other countries. The findings of the study will implore government to create an enabling environment where business can thrive, and also create employment opportunity so that Nigeria will not be lacking for the able bodied men and women that should contribute to nation building.

The study will be significant to the academic community as it will contribute to the existing literature.

1.6 Scope of the study

The study will find out the public perception on factors responsible for high rate of youth relocation from Nigeria. The study will also find out the public perception on the effect of youth relocation from Nigeria. The study will further investigate whether government makes policy that will  make life more meaningful for our Nigerian youths. Lastly, the study will make recommendations on how the government can improve the standard of living in other to reduce the high rate of relocation from Nigeria. Hence, this study will be delimited to Immigration office Abuja.

1.7 Limitation of the study

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire, and interview), which is why the researcher resorted to a moderate choice of sample size. More so, the researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. As a result, the amount of time spent on research will be reduced.

1.8       Definition of terms

Relocation:  the action of moving to a new place and establishing one's home or business there.

Determinant: a factor which decisively affects the nature or outcome of something.

Public perception: a belief or opinion, often held by many people and based on how things seem