Interurban Flows of Population and Occupational Skills to Three Cities in Nigeria

Abstract

This article examines interurban flows of population and occupational skills to three cities in Nigeria. The analyses are based on sample survey data collected in the cities of Benin, Ibadan, and Kano in 1973 and 1974. The cities vary in population size and are located in three different urban growth regions in the country. The migration histories included in the questionnaires are the focal point of the article. Up to 11 moves were recorded for each respondent. With each move, information was obtained on the demographic and socioeconomic status of the individual. Male and female respondents age 15 years and over were interviewed. The findings indicate that most migrants were repeat movers who represent numerous spatial experiences. Of the migration streams, interurban movements were dominant. Male migrants brought a diverse mixture of occupational skills to the survey cities, influenced by their spatial experiences. While women had similar spatial characteristics to men, most came as housewives and/or with traditional-type trades.