Migration and Remittances: A Strategic Tool for Socio-economic Development in Ikpoba-Okha LGA, Southern Nigeria

Abstract

For reasons which border on the search for greener pastures and survival, man has been a migratory species since the earliest of times. Underlying all patterns of migration is the basic search for systematic reward, material and non-material to their homeland. This paper discusses the issue of international migration and its impact on the point of origin of migrants. Two theoretical approaches, the Todaro migration model and the Functionalist model, are considered in our analysis of 450 Nigerian migrants’ families in two communities in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government area of Edo State with money and the values of goods as referents. Our findings show that although home remittances do not have a uniform impact on the communities and families of migrants, they are however significant and appreciated. There appears to be an emerging pattern of family solidarity and communal expectations from migrants who may be said to be living up the challenge. We conclude that there is an emerging relationships arising from the impact of home remittances from Nigerian migrants in Europe.

DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2015.v5n2p29