Investigating Rural – Urban Migration in Developing Countries of the World a Focus in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper investigates the reason behind rural-urban migration in developing countries of the world using Nigeria as focus of the study. The fact is that most of the countries of the developing world are just on the threshold of their industrial takeoff. The unfolding of events in the western world indicates that urbanization and industrialization goes together. Thus, the simple fact that continuing rapid urbanization is inevitable in developing countries. This study examines issues of drive, implication and solution to the problem of rural-urban migration in Nigeria. In view of the emerging nature of this research work, the survey research design was used. The paper adopted urban bias theory as a model for its analytical framework. The paper observed that in Nigeria, urban centres or cities are springing up and people are migrating from the rural areas to urban areas. And they have different reasons for migrating from rural areas to urban centres; these reasons include among others lack of employment opportunities in rural areas, lack of infrastructural facilities, educational institution etc. It therefore, recommends that the government should embark on the development of agricultural sector to create employment and infrastructural development in the rural areas.