Cross-Border Migrants' Integration in Rural Border Communities of South-West Nigeria

Abstract:

The study examined Cross border migrants' integration in rural border communities of Ogun and Oyo States, South-West Nigeria.  Multi-stage sampling technique was used for the survey. The sample size was determined by a snowball sampling technique and a total of 173 duly completed questionnaires administered to the household heads in each sampled household were used.

It was discovered in the study that many of the migrants were from neighbouring Benin Republic. Also majority of the respondents were males. Most of the cross border migrants were still in their active working age (21-50years) while many had no basic education, a good number of them were farmers. The migrants migrated because of bad economic condition in their country of origin. Many of the migrants rented their houses and land. Majority preferred marrying among themselves. None of the respondents have legal stay and majority still aspire to go back to their country of origin. All these are indications of low level of migrants' integration in the RBC of SW Nigeria. This study concluded that the identified socio-economic and cultural characteristics of the migrants are relevant factors for consideration in planning for the integration of migrants in RBC of SW Nigeria.