Migration Profile on Nigeria - IOM Publications - International ...

Figure 3: Area and population density by state, 2006
Source: NBS, 2006a.
Moreover, the country is experiencing a high rate of urbanization 5 (5.3 per
cent in 2008) (Library of Congress, 2008).This is due more to the net migration
(in-migration > out-migration) than to the natural increase factor (fertility >
mortality). Rural–urban migration is often given as the major factor for the rapid
rate of urbanization in the country (Abumere, 2002; Udo, 1997; Mabogunje,
1968).
Also, the percentage of the total population residing in places classified as
urban has been steadily increasing, from 23.4 per cent in 1975 to 48.2 per cent
in 2005 (UNDP, 2008) and 49.8 per cent in 2009 (UNDP, 2009). The percentage
of the total population in urban centres has, therefore, almost doubled within
thirty-three years. The city of Lagos and Abuja Federal Capital Territory are
notable urban centres with a high urbanization rate (over 5.3%).
Population growth rate
Nigeria has a high annual population growth rate, which was estimated
to be 2.8 per cent from 1975 to 2005 (CBN, 2007b) and 3.18 per cent during
5 The rate of urbanization describes the average rate of change in the size of the urban population over a given
period of time. The urban population describes the percentage of the total population living in urban areas.
Kilometres
Population density per sq km
0–118
119–246
247–578
579–880
881–2455
<strong>Migration</strong> in Nigeria: A Country <strong>Profile</strong> 2009
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