Patterns and Micro-Drivers of International Emigration in Nigeria

The study attempts to unfold the determinants of international migration from Nigeria to other countries by using 2009 Nigeria Migration Survey data by World Bank (2011). It also employs econometric techniques of linear probability and binary probit models. The findings indicates that individual and household characteristics as well as economic and geographical factors play significant roles in making Nigerians to migrate abroad. The individual characteristics are gender (if male), age, marital status and education years, while household size is the only significant factor under household characteristics. The amount of remittance is the only significant economic determinant. The statistically significant geographical factors include locality (if urban) and geopolitical zones (if south-east, south-south, south-west and Lagos). Second, the same factors are the determinants of international migration to OECD and African countries, albeit they are stronger in influencing migration to African countries than to OECD countries. However, amount of remittance has positive effect on international migration to OECD countries but it is negative on international migration to African countries. Thus, the policy implication is that any international migration policy should target the above determinants of international migration in order to contain it.