INFRASRUCTURE AS A BANE TO RURAL – URBAN MIGRATION IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Exodus of indigenes from their place of birth to the cities thereby congesting the cities led to this
research. Nigeria is an agrarian society where subsistence farming is the main sustenance of the
citizens, but lack of many social amenities supposed to be provided by the government induced
the villagers to migrate to the cities. This research surveyed the conditions that would warrant the
citizens to stay in their villages and make a living. Thirteen out of 27 local governments in Imo
State were used as the case study. Out of a target population of 959, 213 one thousand eight
hundred and forty (1840) were surveyed with the use of questionnaire. Response rate was 95%.
Data collected were analysed using SPSS package and represented in discrete figures,
percentages, tables and figures. Almost half of the respondents live outside their local
governments. The citizens were aware that good infrastructure would make them stay and work
from their homes. Also they identified hospitals, good roads, police stations, churches, and
companies/factories as the major infrastructure that would induce them to stay and establish in
their villages. It is therefore recommended that those infrastructures should be provided and
where available, should be well maintained.