Paper short abstract:

Rural-Urban migration is on the increase in Nigeria with consequences on agricultural production, urban development and family structure. Migrants think that they have better opportunities to contribute to the family and village development but the long term impact may not be that positive.

Paper long abstract:

South-East Nigeria refers to the Southern Nigeria that lies east of the Niger River and a little south of the Benue River. Its land area is 8.5 percent but is occupied by about 25 percent of Nigeria's population. The rate of migration in the region is one of the highest in the country and is fueled by population growth and the adverse economic and political situation in the country. These two factors contribute to unemployment, food insecurity and poverty which drive rural-urban migration and international migration to Europe and America. Those who migrate are often the youths who have the drive to search for better means of livelihood. This leads to high school drop-out, loss of labor as well as averagely literate groups from rural communities; as such farming is left for the illiterates and aged thereby limiting the rate of food production and agribusiness development. In the cities, the consequences are mixed. There is increased pressure on infrastructural facilities like housing, water supply etc. The pressure in turn engenders poverty and the growth of urban slums. But those involved claim that they were able to start their own ventures, send money back 'home' to families and for infrastructural development in the villages. The family structure is gradually weakening as a result of migration; young men and women are exposed to societal vagaries from which they may not be recover in adulthood; the family security which children enjoyed by virtue of the presence of both parents is being lost.

Key Words: Family, Youth, Rural-Urban, Migration