Economic activities of migrant rural dwellers in Irewole area of Osun state, Nigeria.

Abstract

Inadequate natural resources and environmental problems have led to the migration of different ethnic groups across the ecological zones of Nigeria. Therefore, this study examined the economic activities of migrant rural dwellers in Irewole Area of Osun State, Nigeria. Two communities, Wasinmi and Bamigbola were selected for the study and 188 migrants were randomly interviewed. The result showed that the majority of respondents were within the age range of 16-47 years, married and belong to Yoruba, Ibo, Ashanti from Ghana, Igede (Benue State), Ibira (Kogi State) and Ngas (Plateau State) ethnic groups. They were literate with household size of less than six and engaged in food crop production, livestock production, trading, hired labour on farms, transport business, processing of oil palm, cassava and other minor economic activities like honey collection, digging of wells and sponge making. These activities were done for both household consumption and sales. Majority of these activities are carried out in both wet and dry seasons with the exception of hired labour, honey collection, digging of wells and sponge making which were done during the dry season.Majority identified inadequate funds, water supply, low sales, lack of basic amenities, health hazards, and lack of agricultural input as major problems facing them. The relationship between educational status and level of involvement in economic activities was found to be significant (x2 = 7.624, p < 0.05). Significant difference also exists in economic activities of male and female respondents (t = 2.42, p < 0.05). It is therefore recommended that a soft revolving loan scheme, extension services and other social amenities be provided to improve the economic activities of migrant rural dwellers.