Title: Factors of migration of ECOWAS citizens into Nigeria: a principal component analysis approach

Authors: Ngozi L. Uzomah; Ignatius A. Madu

Addresses: Department of Geography, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria ' Department of Geography, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

Abstract: Due to several factors, migrants from other countries in ECOWAS region continue to move to Nigeria, with and without the prerequisite documents. This paper investigated migration of ECOWAS citizens into Nigeria in order to discuss its underlying factors. Data were obtained using questionnaire survey administered on 462 ECOWAS migrants based on chain referral approach. Interviews were conducted. Descriptive statistics and principal component analysis were employed. Most migrants were unauthorised migrants: 21% were overstaying, 49% were undocumented and 15% had ECOWAS resident permit. From 18 initial causes of migration, seven underlying factors were extracted which constitute 70.037% of factors of migration in the study area. Socio-political factor (including wars and electoral disputes) with 14.538% contribution was the main factor of the migration while family and social connections with 7.064% contribution was the least. Other factors of the migration included economic, bad agricultural condition, and ethno-cultural ties. However, the factors were interdependent.

Keywords: Economic Community of West African States; ECOWAS free movement protocol; factors of migration; unauthorised migration; Nigeria; principal component analysis; PCA; social sciences.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMBS.2020.111441

International Journal of Migration and Border Studies, 2020 Vol.6 No.3, pp.234 - 257

Received: 09 Jun 2019
Accepted: 15 Mar 2020
Published online: 26 Nov 2020 *

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