IRREGULAR MIGRATION IN NIGERIA: AN APPRAISAL OF THE CAUSES AND SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES ON THE SOURCE REGION

Abstract

Irregular migration involves the movement of people across national boundaries have violated the national laws of the destination country. However, the growing scope of irregular migration, particularly, the perilous migration flows of Nigerian citizens into Europe through the Mediterranean Sea and Sahara desert is what has gained popularity. Irregular migration in Nigeria which is not a new phenomenon comes with its attendant consequences on both the origin and destination. This paper, therefore, appraised the social consequences of irregular migration on Nigeria. The paper used secondary data obtained from policy report by International Organization for Migration (IOM), Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS), media reports and relevant publications of scholars in the field of migration. Poverty, apathy, low rating of family without migrants, established social network, social pressure and status labelingare some of the factors identified as drivers of irregular migration. Similarly, the social consequences identified are discrimination, absence of safety and material support upon return, broken family ties and total breakdown of marriages and stigmatization whichcompromised Nigeria’s relationship with those countries and downgraded social and economic status. Based on the findings of this study, the paper suggested among others, the improvement in the nations’ economy, support for the returnees must be tailored to connect with their social network, establishment of coordinated action between Nigeria and host nations and between government and society and adoption of Assisted Voluntary Return Scheme in Nigeria.