Role of Rural-Ward Migration in Economic Development in Jos South Area of Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Migration is a decision that impacts the welfare of the household, the home community and in the end the whole economy in various ways. Nigeria is among the few countries of the world characterized by contradictory socio-economic and development scenarios, despite her enviable human and material resources. Various push and pull factors have implications on Nigeria’s underdevelopment, and it affects rural areas severely than urban areas which perhaps underlay rural poverty, hence migration becomes a safety net. The study aimed at examining the reversal flow of people from urban to rural area and its effects on rural economic development particularly in Jos South local government area, Plateau State. The study employed structured questionnaire as the major research instrument. It was randomly administered among 318 sampled population in the study area. The household constitutes the unit of observation in the three districts namely, Du, Kuru and Vwang. In addition, focus group discussions (FGD) were held among the communities in order to collect relevant data for the study.   Data were analyzed by using simple measures of central tendencies such as calculation of the mean, averages, frequencies and percentages. Also, Linkert scale of measurement was employed to assess the role of rural-ward migrants in economic development. On the aggregate, provision of farm inputs was fair 163(51.3%); marketing of farm products was fair 168(52.8%); establishment of cooperative societies was good 198(62.3%); skill transfer to rural dwellers was rated fair 153(48.0%); innovative ideas was fair 148(46.5%); and remittances was fair 188(59.1%).  On the basis of the findings, the study recommends among other things that government should increase discriminate investments in the rural areas in terms of provision of infrastructural facilities in order to encourage movement of people from the congested urban areas into the hitherto neglected and deprived rural areas and by so doing, it will not only countervail rural urban migration but also improve spatial balance in our developmental efforts.

Keywords: Rural Ward Economic Development Migration Infrastructure