ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF MIGRATION ON NIGERIA'S SOCIO-ECONOMIC GROWTH

Abstract

The failure of governance in Nigeria in recent times has manifested in persistent insecurity, high inflation, poor socio-economic performance, unemployment, hardship, suffering, poverty, low development, and frustrated hope. As of today the level of poverty, unemployment, and inflation in Nigeria has skyrocketed to an extent that an average man can hardly afford one square meal a day. These precarious conditions in Nigeria have led to a massive migration of both trained and untrained professionals, such as academics, doctors, nurses, engineers, builders, and even students, to developed countries in search of greener pastures. This has far reaching implications for a developing economy like Nigeria. This paper therefore appraises the impact of migration on Nigeria’s socio-economic growth. The paper finds that security, economic, and political conditions in Nigeria have sparked a desire to migrate in search of better living conditions and safety. The paper argues that if these factors are not tackled, that the country will be plunged into a dearth of experts in all human endeavours. The paper relies on doctrinal methodology and, where necessary, references to positions in other jurisdictions will be made. The paper concludes by calling on the Nigerian government to expedient efforts in tackling insecurity in the country, formulate and implement good economic policies that will revamp the economy, create more job opportunities and improve the social amenities available to the common man.