Int. j. econ. manag. soc. sci., Vol(4), No (2), February, 2015. pp.

126-134

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International Journal of Economy, Management and Social Sciences

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Migration Dynamics and the Consequences on the Environment:

A Case Study of Kubwa Abuja
Ade Mercy Ayima *
(M.SC) Geographic Information Systems, Department of Geography and Environment Management, University of Abuja, PMB 117 Abuja, Slum, Development,
Pollution, Degradation, Nigeria.
Corresponding author: mercy_ade@yahoo.com

Keywords

Abstract

Migration
Slum
Development
Degradation

This study examines the implication of migration on environmental development in Kubwa metropolis. The objectives
of this research were to determination of the rate at which migration aided in the degradation of the environment and
to also examine the possible effects of migration on the socio-economic life of the people of Kubwa metropolis among
others. Copies of questionnaire were administered within the study area through purposeful sampling to obtain data for
this research. The data was analysed using descriptive and necessary inferential statistics. The analysis has shown that
migration of people lead to population increase within Kubwa metropolis and has an effect on environmental
development ranging from housing,shanty areas to effect on socio-economic life of the people. On the basis of this,
recommendations were made that; government should formulate a comprehensive planning policy that would aid in
the provision of adequate infrastructure, population redistribution, slum eradication and sustainable land-uses.

Introduction
Migration can be dated back to the history of man himself, which deals with the movement of people from one place to another with the
intention of settling in the new location. The rate and volume of the movement has however increased particularly in the late 18th century due to
mans technological advancement, which has paved a way to the development in transportation system. As a result, migration has become an
important factor influencing population dynamics in different geographical areas. In Sub-Saharan Africa for instance, increase in urban
population has led to mis-management of the urban centers and also increases the rate of poverty.
Environment refers to the biotic and abiotic surrounding of an organism or population, and includes the factors that have an influence in their
survival, development and evolution. Environment of man in this context refers to biophysical surrounding with which man interacts and has
both negative and positive influence on his survival. It could mean the natural and man-made phenomena around us, such as plants, animals,
natural landscape as well as the artificial structures and modifications.
Moreover, development like other social concepts with which philosophers and social scientist operate lack a definitional consensus. It has been
defined or explained by social theorist to mean different things using varying indices. The term development refers to expansion of infrastructure
or a general project of industrialization that brings about access to such facilities as good roads, healthcare system, portable water, education etc.
Development is a strategy of spatial reorganization, crucial for the whole process of central state control over planning of productive forces, not
necessarily concentrated at just one spot [7].
The existence of networks is likely to influence the decisions of migrants when they choose their destinations [4]. The network theory helps to
explain the reasons why migration patterns are not evenly distributed across countries, but rather how they tend to form so-called migration
regimes [5]. In migration system theory pioneered by Mabogunje [7] it is perceived that; migration alters the social, cultural, economic and
institutional conditions at both the sending and receiving end and that it forms an entire developmental space within which migration processes
operate [3]. Migration restructures the entire societal or developmental context of the concrete spaces in which it takes place, both at the
receiving and at the sending end [2]. Migratory movements arise in response to prior existence of links between sending and receiving states,
such as colonial ties, trade or investment flows [1].
Migration is accompanied with various problems ranging from environmental, political, and economic to social ones. Problems such as land
degradation due to increased pressure on land and its resources, clashes of culture, lack of jobs, urban decay, pollution (air, land and water), and
pressure on available social amenities. People migrate from one place to another for a variety of complex reasons. Some are forced to move, due
to conflict or to escape persecution and prejudices, while others may voluntarily emigrate, although such a move is necessary, it can be
traumatic.
The F.C.T has undergone series of infrastructural development construction of offices, residential houses, commercial centers, recreational
facilities and private structures to provision of social amenities such as portable water, roads, schools etc. this development was made possible
with the creation of Abuja in 1980s and movement of the seat of power from Lagos to Abuja in 1991. This increase in infrastructural development
has attracted numbers of people into the Federal Capital Territory. It has to be noted also that, the continuous influx of people into the territory
has been with some repercussions on the environment, and concentration of the population in few satellite towns of which Kubwa is one.
Patterns of population mobility are thus intimately related to the overall process of development. Kubwa has been accompanied with massive
physical development as a result of changes in population which has a direct consequences on the environment and further demand on land
resources, power, housing and social facilities among others, contributing in no small measure, disruption in balance which has existed with very
minimal changes, leading to environmental degradation, solid waste accumulation, which has a consequential result of poor living conditions
that includes physical discomfort, compromised health and safety [6].
Human migration within Kubwa has been accompanied with environmental and socio-economic challenges of varying degrees. Therefore, this
study tends to elucidate the impacts of migration on environmental development and socio-economic activities of the people of Kubwa at large.
The aim of this research is to assess the implication of migration on environmental development in Kubwa metropolis. The objectives of this
study are;
(1)
To examine the possible effects of migration on socio-economic life of the people of Kubwa
(2)
To determine the rate at which migration has aid in environmental degradation
(3)
To determine the positive effects of migration on the study area
(4)
To examine the pressure exerted on available facilities by the migrant population.

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Migration Dynamics and the Consequences on the Environment: A Case Study of Kubwa Abuja
International Journal of Economy, Management and Social Sciences Vol(4), No (2), February, 2015.

Study area
Kubwa is resettlement town in Bwari area council of the F.C.T, it is bounded to the south by the outer northern expressway (ONEX) of the
F.C.T, to the north by Bwari-Aso range of hills, to the east by Dutse Alhaji and to the west by the jibi resettlement scheme. Kubwa is home to
some selected indigenes of the F.C.T, who were displaced from their original homeland as a result of development in F.C.T, it serves as a
resettlement town, and thus, Kubwa serves a dual purpose of being designated as both resettlement and satellite town.
The town is divided into areas; the planned areas are phases 1-4, PW, Federal Housing Authority (FHA), 2:1, 2:2, and the unplanned areas are
Kukwaba, new Maitama, Byazhin, which is where the indigenes are resettled, and this is characterized by attached buildings illegally or not built
to housing specification.

Climate
Kubwa is located on the windward side of Jos-Plateau, which made it possible for the place to receive an average of 1200mm of rainfall. And
Kubwa is characterized with temperature changes, with a minimum temperature of 200c in the month of August (northeast), 270c in the south
east, with a diurnal of less than 70 c, and a maximum temperature of 370 c, with a diurnal range of 170 c in the dry season.

Topography and drainage

Bwari-aso range hills form the major relief feature of Kubwa, the hills which are mostly rocky, rise steeply from the low-lying plains peak up to
760m ASL, the lowest elevation is about 490m ASL. The area is drained by Usuma drainage basin, one of the major rivers in the F.C.T, which is
characterized by seasonal flow. There is a considerable reduced flow of water during the dry season, this is as a result of the torrential nature of
the rainfall as well as high rates of runoff and subsequently low infiltration rate, the lower Usuma dam is where the residents of Kubwa gets their
source of water.

Land use
Basically, the land use pattern of Kubwa are of three types; residential, institutional and commercial.
Residential
Generally, the house types in the planned areas are mainly flats, which vary from one to three bedroom flats on the average and are situated on a
well laid out plots with most basic infrastructure such as water, electricity, good road network and security. Whereas the village area include a
mixture of flats, and compound system of housing.
Institutional
Educational, financial, health, governmental and non-governmental institutions exist in Kubwa. The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)
orientation camp is located in the Bazango area of Kubwa, the general hospital is located at Phase IV, Local Education Authority (LEA) primary
school and government secondary school can be found in different parts of the town. Others are privately owned primary and secondary schools,
hospitals, power holding company of Nigeria (PHCN) offices, as well as the F.C.T water board. With the recent increase in population and
physical development in Kubwa, several financial institutions have also sprang up which is of economic value to the people of Kubwa.
Commercial
Several commercial activities take place in the study area, like other urban areas, Kubwa has a central market located in the village area of the
town, and several other mini markets found in the neighbourhood. There is also an abattoir and various shopping complexes in the study area.

Function of Kubwa satellite town

The master plan of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA, 1984) designated Kubwa (Kukwaba, new Maitama, and old Maitama) as
a resettlement town for some of the indigenes that had to be resettled. Kubwa is also selected as one of the six settlement in the F.C.T to serve as
a satellite town in order to provide accommodation to increasing population of the F.C.T, by this, Kubwa serves as a resettlement town and as a
satellite town. Due to its proximity to the F.C.C, most civil servants as well as the private sector employees reside in Kubwa and commute to
work in the city centre on daily basis.

Methodology
The sources of data for this study are both primary and secondary ones. The primary data was collected through questionnaire administration,
and secondary data was obtained from literatures reviewed.
Stratified sampling technique was employed to obtain two sample data based on residential density and population density. On the residential
sample, random sampling technique was adopted to obtain data of places with high and low population density. Thus, the Secondary and
N.Y.S.C gates were chosen to represent areas of high population density while the Federal housing area, Arab junction and Power line were
chosen to represent areas of low population density.
The questionnaire was designed to ascertain various causes of migration and its implication in the areas of destination within Kubwa metropolis.
The questions were designed to include both open and close ended questions which were divided into three parts. Part one deals with
demorgraphic, socio-economic and cultural characteristics of the respondent. Part two examines the causes of migration/socio-economic indices.
And the third part determines the variables of environmental, social/housing indices. And the third part determines the variables of
environmental, social/housing indices.
In line with the size of the sample unit, cost and other logistic considerations, 200 copies of questionnaire were administered as it was suggested
by Seymour [9] that, points to be selected in questionnaire administration should at least be between 200-500 elements.
Frequency distribution as well as percentage in data analysis was employed in the analysis of data obtained from the questionnaire administered,
which are represented in tables and graphs.

Ade Mercy Ayima *

128

International Journal of Economy, Management and Social Sciences Vol(4), No (2), February, 2015.

Results and discussion

The data obtained from the questionnaire administered has clearly shown that, based on sex and age distribution of the population, 60% of the
migrants were said to be males, with female amounting to 41.25% of the migrant population. And also, people that fall between the age of 15-35
were said to constitute the highest percentage of the migrant population. Similarly, based on the age and sex distribution of the migrant
population, 51.25% of the population were said to be single with 47.8% married respectively. This has shown that the population mobility of
kubwa metropolis based on sex, age and ,arital status were said to be in response to job opportunities, business, social amenities (hospitals,
schools etc). Also, with highest number of single male population, theres bound to be population increase in the nearest future.
Occupation and monthly income of the people was another factor examined within the research. Self employed personnel were said to amount
for 57.5% of the population and 20% of the said population were civil servants. This has indicated the change function of Kubwa metropolis
from a village inhabited by farmers to an increasingly commercial centre. Hence, serve as a pulling factor to trading activities and provision of
goods and services. On the other hand, 37.5% of the population were not having monthly income, with 22.5% of the population having a total
income of 30000-40000 monthly and 16.25% with 1000-10000 monthly income respectively. This has shown that only a few of the population
receive monthly income with the highest percentage of the people with no income representing students and jobseekers that are vulnerable and
prone to social vices and disorder.
Furthermore, people migrate to Kubwa as a result of accessibility, availability of basic amenities, infrastructure and job opportunities among
others. It has been well known that a greater percentage of the migrants are from different regions of the country (Nigeria); Northern, Eastern,
Western and Southern regions respectively, who were seeking for improved and better standard of living. As the area (Kubwa) subsequently
witness remarkable developments of good roads, communication, electricity and other social amenities. As the population rapidly increased, it
posed a threat or increased the demand for goods, services and putting intense pressure on the available resources.
In addition, infrastructural development within the Kubwa metropolis has been a pulling factor to population, and as a result, the existing
infrastructure were increasingly becoming deteriorating, causing environmental degradation, high demand for goods and services, food demand
increases, and most importantly high and un-conducive cost of living.
UN defined housing overpopulation as a room being occupied by more than 1.5 persons. The data obtained has shown that 43.75% of the
population live in 2 bedroom apartments, and 26.25% living in 1 bedroom apartments, which were said to be having a total number of 4-6
persons per family. It can be deduced from above data that there has been problems of housing overpopulation within Kubwa metropolis which
has not fallen in line with UN directives of 1.5 persons per room. It has to be noted also that, 70.25% of the population were tenants, indicating
huge disparity in terms of property ownership, and this goes a long way to indicate the fast rate of wear and tear of tenement apartment which
has a consequent effect on the environment. Only a few of the population that are civil servants were offered houses by the government, and
those who purchased the houses did it at higher prices. The demand for houses has exceeded its supply, hence an increase in the price/rent of the
existing houses.
The study looks at the conducive nature of accommodation in response to ill health conditions of the population of Kubwa metropolis. It was
believed that 43% of the people perceived their accommodation as being conducive. And 57% were not satisfied with the nature of their
accommodation. The latter has however been due to predominance of 2 bedroom apartments in the area with an average of 4-6 persons per
household. This has however resulted to overpopulated and un-conducive living spaces within the area, hence making the area vulnerable to the
spread of air borne diseases, communicable diseases as well as overstretched use of housing facilities. Poor state of the environment has also
resulted to ill health state of the population, which were connected to the blocked surroundings, poor drainage patterns, stagnant water which
served as a breeding place for disease vectors e.g. mosquito insect, causing malaria.
Environmental services and amenities such as waste disposal, drainage facility, and public toilets availability among others were also assessed in
the study. There has been a bias statement or opinions of respondents pertaining waste disposal; some perceived it to be poor and moderate to
others. Generally, increase in population in the study area has amounted to high waste accumulation and disposal which also became a challenge
to the inhabitants and the environment at large. Drainage facilities were said to be absent and in places where they were present, were blocked
with litters leading to stagnancy of water thereby proving a conducive habitat for disease vectors and also leads to pollution of water, air and
even land. And most importantly, massive influx of migrants into Kubwa metropolis, available facilities were subjected to intense pressure and
led to the provision of public places for conveniences. Public toilets for instance were said to be found every where within Kubwa so as to meet
the needs of the population without taking into cognisance the rate at which the environment has been degraded due to open waste disposal and
open defecation. During the periods of heavy rainfall, flash floods were experienced within areas of acute drainage disorder.

80
70
60
50
Age of respondents

40

percentage

30
20
10
0
15-25

26-35

36-45

46-55
Figure 1

56-65

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Migration Dynamics and the Consequences on the Environment: A Case Study of Kubwa Abuja
International Journal of Economy, Management and Social Sciences Vol(4), No (2), February, 2015.

140
120
100
80
Sex of Respondents
60

percentage

40
20
0
male

female
Figure 2

120

100

80

No of Respondents

60

Percentage %
40

20

0
married

Single

Divorced Seperated Widowed

Figure 3

140
120
100
80
No of Respondents
60

Percentage %

40
20
0
Civil Servant

Self
Employed

Technician

Figure 4

Student

Ade Mercy Ayima *

International Journal of Economy, Management and Social Sciences Vol(4), No (2), February, 2015.

80
70
60
50
40
30

Income Level of
Respondents

20

Percentage %

10
0

Figure 5

90
80
70
60
50
40

Reasons for Migrating

30

Percedntage%

20
10
0

Figure 6

50
45
40
35
30
25

Origin of Migration

20

Percentage%

15
10
5
0
Eastern

Northern

Western
Figure 7

Others

130

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Migration Dynamics and the Consequences on the Environment: A Case Study of Kubwa Abuja
International Journal of Economy, Management and Social Sciences Vol(4), No (2), February, 2015.

100
90
80
70
60
50

Capacity of
Accomodation/building

40

Percentage%

30
20
10
0
1 room

2 rooms 3 rooms 4 rooms above 4

rooms
Figure 8

160
140
120
100
Living capacity

80

Percentage %
60
40
20
0
tenant

landlord
Figure 9

100
90
80
70
60
50

% change in rental increase

40

Percentage

30
20
10
0
Less than
10%

20%-40% 50%-100% Greater than

100%
Figure 10

Ade Mercy Ayima *

International Journal of Economy, Management and Social Sciences Vol(4), No (2), February, 2015.

120

100
80
Conducive Nature

60

Percentage
40

20
0
Yes

No
Figure 11

160
140
120
100
Record of ill health

80

Percentage
60
40
20
0
YES

NO
Figure 12

60
50
40
30

Waste Disposal conditions

Percentage%

20
10
0
very
poor

poor

moderate

good

very
good

Figure 13

132

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Migration Dynamics and the Consequences on the Environment: A Case Study of Kubwa Abuja
International Journal of Economy, Management and Social Sciences Vol(4), No (2), February, 2015.

80
70
60
50
Drainage conditions

40

Percentage%
30
20
10
0
very poor

poor

moderate

good

very good

Figure 14

100
90
80
70
60
Toilet Availability

50

Percentage

40
30
20
10
0
not available

Inadequate

Available

Figure 15

Figures 1-15 Migration factors computed from field study(2013)

Conclusion
Rapid urbanization in many developing countries over the past half century seems to have been accompanied by excessively high level of
concentration in urban population; hence such countries today face greater urbanization challenges than the developed countries. From this
research it can be deduced that, migration of people within and into Kubwa metropolis has overpopulated the region/area, thereby putting stress
or adding intense pressure on the existing facilities and also tends to have effects on environmental development. And this was as a result of poor
urbanization or urban practices, leading to environmental degradation, loss of jobs and slum developments among others.

Rerefences
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9]

Casltes S, and Miller M, (2009): Thr age of migration; international population movement in the modern world, Houndmills, Basinstoke, Hamsphire and
London: Palgrave Macmillan.
De haas H, (2008): the internal Dynamics of migration processes; internal migration institute, James martin 21st centurytheoretical school university of
oxford.
De haas H, (2009): Migration system formation and decline. IMI working paper 19, Oxford:International Migration Institute, university of oxford
Dutmann et al, (2005): the local labour market effects of migration in U.K home office, online report 06/05
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfz/rdsdr0605.pdf
Fawcett J.T (1989): Networks, linkages and migration system; international migration review. Vol23:71-180
Grigsby G.W and Rosenburg L (1975) Urban Housing Policy, Transition Publishers UK
Mabogunje A.L, (1970): System approach to theory of rural-urban migration. The Ohio state university. Geographical analysis, VOL2, NO.1, Pg1-8.
Oyinye O, (2009): Perception of indiscriminate waste dumps as a solid waste management practice in Kubwa satellite town, Abuja. An unpublished Msc
thesis, department of geography and environmental management, university of Abuja.
Seymour S (1976) Sample Survey, Annual Review of Sociology Volume 2.

Ade Mercy Ayima *

International Journal of Economy, Management and Social Sciences Vol(4), No (2), February, 2015.

Appendix

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