Internal migration and welfare of street traders in the urban informal economy of Nigeria

Abstract

This study examines the employment and income opportunities being enjoyed by migrants and non-migrants in street trading sub-sector of the urban informal economy in Nigeria. The welfare implication of such employment was also examined in the study using both the logistic model and the modified Mincer's model. The data for the study was generated from a cross-section study conducted in four geopolitical zones of Nigeria in the year 2011. These zones are the South-West, South-East, South-South and the Northern parts of Nigeria. The main instrument of data collection was the questionnaire administered in the selected cities. Analysis of data revealed that majority of street traders interviewed are migrants, and about 72 percent of them reported improvement in welfare. According to the result of the earnings function estimated, migration variable is a statistically significant variable affecting welfare, among others. Therefore the need for policy measures that will create income and employment opportunities in the rural areas and cities cannot be over-emphasised.