THE IMPACT OF MIGRATION ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA, A CASE STUDY OF MOWE TOWN, OGUN STATE,NIGERIA
Abstract
This study examines the impact of migration on rural development in Nigeria, with a specific focus
on Mowe Town, Ogun State. Migration has become a defining feature of Nigeria’s demographic
and socio-economic landscape, shaping rural and peri-urban communities through population
mobility, remittances, and cultural interactions. The study employed a survey research design,
using a sample of 100 respondents selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected
through structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and
percentages.
Findings reveal that migration has both positive and negative implications for rural development
in Mowe Town. Economically, migration contributes to business growth, job creation, and
improved income levels, but also raises the cost of living and intensifies land ownership disputes.
Infrastructurally, migration increases pressure on housing, education, healthcare, and
transportation, with limited evidence of adequate government interventions to mitigate these
challenges. Socio-culturally, migration fosters cultural diversity and integration while
simultaneously creating tensions over resource use, identity, and security. Environmentally, the
influx of migrants has resulted in pollution, deforestation, overcrowding, and sanitation problems,
exacerbated by weak policy responses. Nevertheless, community-driven initiatives emerged as an
effective coping mechanism for managing these environmental and social challenges.
The study concludes that while migration stimulates economic vibrancy and cultural enrichment
in Mowe Town, its developmental benefits are constrained by infrastructural deficits,
environmental stress, and weak governance. It recommends stronger government involvement in
urban planning, investment in rural infrastructure, and the integration of community-led initiatives
into migration management frameworks. This would ensure that migration becomes a catalyst for
sustainable rural development rather than a source of socio-economic strain.
Keywords: Migration, Rural Development, Mowe Town, Socio-economic Impact, Infrastructure,
Environment
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