The Other Side of Internal Migration: Exploring the Socio-economic and Traumatic Realities of Zamfara State Migrants

Abstract

While studies explore the fortunes of Nigeria’s internal migration, they have glossed over its socio-cultural, economic, and traumatic consequences. This study, relying on primary and secondary sources of data, dwells on the other side of Nigeria’s internal migration. Specifically, it focuses on the complexities of Zamfara migrants residing in southern Nigeria and highlights the intricacies surrounding their migration and residency in southern Nigeria. The findings of the study suggest that Zamfara migrants deal with harsh realities as migrants in southern Nigeria, including language barriers, psychological trauma, a lack of access to healthcare, quality education, and political and economic exclusion. On the other hand, some of the spouses and children left by the migrants in the north have to work hard to complement what they receive from their families in the south. As a solution, the research advocates for a comprehensive internal migration policy that would protect the rights of northern migrants in southern Nigeria and vice versa.