Appraisal of the Impacts of Rural-Urban Migration on the Livelihood Security of Rural Households in Nsukka Area of Southeastern Nigeria

Abstract

This work examines within geographical context, the impact of rural-urban migration on livelihood security in Nsukka area of Enugu state, South Eastern Nigeria. In the survey, questionnaires were used in eliciting data. 4 local government areas, 16 communities and 910 households were covered in the study. Asset Index analytic technique and correlation analysis were used in data analysis. The result of asset index analysis showed variation in livelihood security outcomes of migration across the communities, Anuka had the highest impact score 30.16 and Nkume had the least impact score of 11.04 while the average aggregate score for the whole area is 17.63 which indicates an appreciable positive impact of rural-urban migration on livelihood security generally. The result of the correlation analysis showed a high association between the livelihood indicators; however of salience is the strong positive correlation between income and the rest of the livelihood indices which underscores the underlying influence of monetary remittances on livelihood improvement in the region. Recommendation includes that government should develop social vehicle of re-education, re-motivation of urbanites towards remitting necessary resources back home to improve the welfare of their rural households and as well contribute to meaningful development of their communities.

Keywords: Livelihood security, appraisal, geographical, rural-urban, migration