Assessment of the Causes and Consequences of International Migration in Nigeria

Abstract

Human migration is not a recent phenomenon. Since the beginningof recorded history, migration has been an element of the humancondition. The phenomena of migration dates to the mercantileperiod, when, through merchant capitalism, people from Europetraveled to Africa between 1500 and 1800 to establish protectoratesand live on vast tracts of land for more than 300 years (Golden &Reinert, 2006). Additionally, according to the National GeographicSociety (2005), migration has occurred throughout the history ofmankind, beginning with the earliest groups of people moving fromEast Africa to their current location in the universe. Because ofhow widespread migration is, both industrialized and developingnations view it as their top national security threat.