HUMAN MOBILITY AND CROSS-BORDER MOVEMENT IN NIGERIA: EVIDENCE FROM EDO STATE

Multinational and state efforts designed to curtail illegal migration in Nigeria and indeed in Edo state have only succeeded in yielding modest outcome. Illegal migration has continued to grow in the face of threats from government and even at the risk of immigrants’ lives, thus contrasting the several claims by government that things have been put in its proper place. This study which is anchored on survey method, strive to find answers to the drivers of illegal migration by generating responses from Edolites deportees who have embarked on this tumultuous journey to Morocco, Libya, Algeria Tunisia, South Africa, Kenya, Mali and a host of other African countries in search of greener pasture. Findings revealed that though the journey is risky, there are certain causal factors like poverty and unemployment at home and a kind of heaven on earth abroad. The significance of this study is hinged around the fact that though there are several studies on illegal migration in Nigeria, yet Edo state which happened to be the epicenter of human trafficking and illegal migration has largely been ignored. It is argued that unless government and its officials sincerely address the issues that encourage massive migration, Edo state will continue to remain the epicenter of illegal migration in Nigeria.