Migration drivers, income inequality and rural attachment in deprived remote areas prone to cattle rustling in Nigeria

ABSTRACT

While the broader concept of human security emphasizes the need for safety from livelihood security threats, the roles of attachment and violent conflicts on rural migration remain a subject of considerable debate. This study examines the drivers of rural migration within the context of potential relative deprivation. Using data from 1,750 households residing in rural areas of Nigeria, the study reports two key findings. First, the results show that migration is structured by the socio-economic stratification of rural households. Secondly, the results of ordinary least squares reveal that rural attachments, deprivation, cattle rustling and human capital are salient factors determining the patterns of rural migration. It can be argued that cattle rustling, as one of the major security threats affecting pastoral communities, is constraining pastoral households from pursuing their normal livelihoods and thus reducing the raiding of pastoral livelihood assets may help in reducing rural-urban migration in Nigeria.

KEYWORDS:

• Cattle rustling
• relative deprivation
• migration
• social stratification

Acknowledgements

Funding for data collection was supported by Tertiary Education Trust Fund. We would like to thank you for your reviews, thoughtful comments and constructive suggestions on our manuscript. We have carefully addressed all the issues raised. The corresponding changes and refinements made in the revised paper are summarized in our response below.

Data, codes and DO-files used in this article are available from the author upon request.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Saifullahi Sani Ibrahim

Dr. Saifullahi Sani Ibrahim currently works at the Economic and Development Studies, Federal University, Dutsin-Ma. He does research in Energy Economics, Economics of Security, Environment and Sustainable Development, and Econometrics. His current projects are 'pastoral sustainable development', 'gendered dimension of vulnerability', and 'economic well-being in pastoral society'.

Huseyin Ozdeser

Prof. Dr. Huseying Ozdeser currently serves as a Chairperson of the Department of Economics, Near East University. His research interest covers topics on the EU economy and migration issues.

Behiye Cavusoglu

Associate Prof. Dr. Behiye Cavusoglu is the Deputy Director, Graduate School of Social Science and Deputy Chairperson of the Department of Economics, Near East University. Her search interest covers issues on the knowledge economy and human development.

Aminu Abdullahi Shagali

Dr. Aminu Abdullahi Shagali was a former Speaker of Kaduna State House Assembly. His research interest focuses on rural development and migration question.

Muktar Shu’Aibu

Dr. Muktar Shu’Aibuserves as a Head of Department of Social Sciences, Kebbi State Polytechnic. He does research in development economics and sustainable development.