YOUTH MIGRATION, INFORMAL EMPLOYMENT AND URBAN LIVELIHOODS: SOCIOECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS IN IBADAN AND ABEOKUTA METROPOLISES

Abstract

Rapid urbanization in Nigeria has intensified youth migration from rural and semi-urban areas into major cities, where the informal economy serves as the primary source of employment. This study examines the socioeconomic implications of youth migration and informal employment on urban livelihoods in Ibadan and Abeokuta metropolises. Adopting a convergent mixed-methods design, data were collected from 400 migrant youths engaged in informal sectors, complemented by key informant interviews with policymakers, urban planners, and community leaders. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data were thematically analyzed to provide contextual insights. Findings reveal that economic necessity, unemployment, and rural deprivation are the dominant drivers of youth migration, with over 78% of respondents engaged in survivalist informal activities characterized by low income, job insecurity, and lack of social protection. Regression results indicate that informal employment significantly influences income instability (β = 0.61, p < 0.001) and housing vulnerability (β = 0.54, p < 0.001), while limited access to services exacerbates social exclusion. Despite these challenges, migrant youths demonstrate resilience through diversified income strategies, informal networks, and entrepreneurial adaptation. The study concludes that while informal employment provides immediate livelihood opportunities, it perpetuates urban precarity and inequality. It recommends inclusive urban planning, youth-targeted employment policies, and formalization strategies to enhance sustainable urban livelihoods. The study contributes to advancing empirical knowledge on migration–informality nexus and provides policy-relevant insights for urban development in Nigeria and similar contexts.