INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIAL VARIABLES PREDICTING MIGRATION INTENTION AMONG UNDERGRADUATES IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

Abstract

Immigration has become an issue of concern in Nigeria in the recent time, thenumber of international migrants increased from about 84 million in 1970 to over 272 millionin 2019. Nigeria is considered as one of the countries that contribute significantly tointernational migration. This study investigates predictors of migration intentions amongNigerian undergraduates, focusing on career aspirations and social networks and how theactual migration affects skilled labour supply in the country. Using a sample of 395 studentswho completed measures of career aspirations, social networks and migration intentions, wetested four hypotheses with multiple regression and correlation analyses. We found thatcareer aspirations significantly predicted migration intention, (R2=.081, F=11.52) p <.001.),while social networks did not. There were also no age differences in migration intention. Ourfindings suggest that career goals strongly influence migration intent. The implications of thefindings on the perennial loss of skilled labour with the attendant challenges, and theimplication for career counselling practices were discussed.