Migration and National Development in Nigeria: A Critical Examination of Lee’s Theory of Migration

Migration has long been a focal point of sociological inquiry, with scholars always seeking to understand the forces driving human mobility. Everett Lee's push-pull theory is a comprehensive theory applied in explaining migration and is a more advanced replacement of the earlier, economically deterministic theories. Lee's analysis reveals diverse factors that instigate migration. He submits that what leads to migration in most cases is a response to the complex interplay of factors at the place of origin and destination. Unlike reductionist theories, his approach emphasizes the multifaceted nature of migration and its potential to produce both positive and negative outcomes, depending on the context. This paper employs a qualitative research design, alongside critical and conceptual analysis of secondary data, to examine the relationship between migration and national development through the lens of Lee’s theory, using Nigeria as a case study. This paper explores the determinants and scope of migration as well as its effect on national development. It argues that migration greatly contributes to national development since the mobility of human capital and socio-economic integration of migrants make a significant contribution to development impacts. The research attests to the double potential of migration in terms of spurring or slowing development based on how integration policy is handled, as well as controlling socio-economic factors. The paper asserts that strategic policy interventions are necessary to realize the development dividends of migration.