Nearly a quarter of Nigerians aged 15 and above are considering leaving their communities, according to a new report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The General Household Survey-Panel (GHS-Panel) Wave 5, unveiled in Abuja on Thursday, highlights migration trends that reflect deep social and economic aspirations across the country.
The report reveals that men are more likely to want to migrate, with 31.2% expressing the desire compared to 19.3% of women.
Young adults between the ages of 20 and 30 are the most eager, with 34.5% considering relocation, followed by teenagers aged 15 to 18 at 26.9%.
Migration interest drops significantly among older Nigerians, with only 6.5% of individuals aged 65 and above expressing the desire to move.
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Abuja is the top domestic destination for potential migrants, attracting 35.3% of those surveyed. Meanwhile, 26.6% of respondents prefer moving abroad. Regional differences also play a role as Southern Nigerians predominantly aspire to relocate overseas, while residents of Northern zones favour moves to Abuja or other Nigerian states.
“Marriage remains the leading reason for relocation,” the report showed, accounting for 28.2% of moves. Other key drivers include living with relatives or friends (21.2%) and starting a new job or business (14.6%). Notably, 45.4% of households nationwide have at least one former member who has relocated either domestically or internationally, with half of these migrants being female.
Furthermore, the findings highlight a rural-urban divide. While only 37% of urban households reported former members migrating, the figure is significantly higher in rural areas at 49.3%. This underscores the pull of urban and foreign opportunities for rural residents.
The GHS-Panel, which has tracked household-level changes in welfare and socio-economic outcomes since 2010, continues to provide critical insights for policymakers aiming to address the country’s pressing economic and social challenges.
