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, the
number of international migrants increased from about 84 million in 1970 to over 272 million
in 2019. Nigeria is considered as one of the countries that contribute significantly to
international migration. This study investigates predictors of migration intentions among
Nigerian undergraduates, focusing on career aspirations and social networks and how the
actual migration affects skilled labour supply in the country. Using a sample of 395 students
who completed measures of career aspirations, social networks and migration intentions, we
tested four hypotheses with multiple regression and correlation analyses. We found that
career 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. Our
findings suggest that career goals strongly influence migration intent. The implications of the
findings on the perennial loss of skilled labour with the attendant challenges, and the
implication for career counselling practices were discussed.