GENDER DYNAMICS IN MIGRATION: IMPACTS ON EDUCATION AND FAMILY IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Nigeria's migration experiences reinforce gender disparities and challenge traditional roles, with boys often preferred over girls. Comprehensive policies are needed to promote education, economic empowerment, and gender equality in migration contexts. This study adopted a descriptive survey, and it was carried out precisely in South western, Nigeria. This study adopted descriptive survey and it was carried out in South wester, Nigeria precisely. Out of six regions in Nigeria and this study considered South-West for the work which include Oyo, Ogun, Lagos, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states respectively. The population for this study considered dwellers in southwest, Nigeria. Simple random sampling was adopted to select three (3) states for this work which falls to 9Yo, Ogun and Osun states respectively. Systematic Random Sampling was used to select four (4) cities in each of the states randomly selected. In Oyo state, the cities randomly selected were Oya Town, Ibadan, Saki, and Ogbomoso. In ogun state, the cities randomly selected include Abekuta, Jjebu, lsagamu and llese. In Osun State, the cities randomly selected were lwo, Osogbo, Jfe, and Ilesa. The sample for this study is 120 and this was distributed randomly and ten (10) respondents were selected from each area selected making forty (40) respondents from each state respectively. The total population for this study from each state that is 40 respondents multiply by the three (3) states making one hundred and twenty (120) respondents. Their responses revealed 1 out of 4 items were agreed upon and perceived that migrant families often face economic constraints due to factors such as low-wage employment, irregular income, or high living expenses in destination areas (M=3.5, SD=l.1), migrant families must often make difjicult decisions about how to allocate their limited fnancial resources, weighing competing needs such as housing,food, healthcare, and education (M=2.9, SD=0.9) and migrant families must weigh the long-term benefits of investing in their children's education against the short-term sacrifices and trade-offs required to do so (M=2.1, SD=l.1). This study concluded that in Nigeria, gender dynamics intersect with migration in complex ways, impacting education and family structures. This work therefore, recommends among other thatthere should be collaboration between governments, NGOs, community leaders, and educational institutions is crucial for creating an equitable educational environment for female migrants, promoting their academic and personal development and migrant children's should adjustment to new environments can be improved through language acquisition classes, cultural orientation sessions, and counselling services. Schools should ensure accessibility and support services, promoting integration and academic success.