Analysis of The Spatio-Temporal Variations in The Nature and Volume of Migrants’ Remittances in Kogi State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the spatio-temporal variation of the nature and volume of Remittance in Kogi State Nigeria. The data utilized were the socio-demographic characteristics of migrants and the nature and volume of remittance in the study area. 400 samples of questionnaires were administered purposively to two (2) communities each of Ajaokuta, Ogori, Okene, Ankpa, Dekina, Ibaji, Lokoja, Kabba Bunu, and Yagba West LGAs. Descriptive statistics and GIS were used to analyze the data. The result revealed that 43.2% of the migrants were between 20 - 30 years old, and 69.4% had stayed more than 6 years away from home. With regards to the form of remittance, the study revealed that 74% of respondents receive monetary remittance, as against a few (26%) who receive non-monetary remittance. 34.8% of respondents who receive monetary gifts receive between ₦20,000 – ₦40,000 while 16.2% receive more than ₦50,000. Also, 34.9% of respondents get non-monetary items like electronics, while a few 3.0% get farm tools. The study further revealed that, in terms of the temporal distribution of monetary remittances, most LGAs in the study area received more remittances in 2012. A total of ₦5,851,000 was received in 2012, with Lokoja LGA receiving the highest (26.8%) with ₦1,573,000 and Ibaji LGA receiving the lowest (2.2%) with ₦180,000. The lowest (₦1,367,000) amount of remittance was received in 2020 during the study period. In 2020, Lokoja LGA also received the highest (26.04%) remittance with ₦356,000 while Yagba-West had the least (2.9%) of the total remittance with ₦40,000. The spatial distribution of remittances indicates that the total average remittance received during the study period ranged between ₦958,000 - ₦11,786,000. For the period of the study, Lokoja LGA received the highest monetary remittance, which ranged between ₦8,580,000 - ₦11,786,000 while Ibaji and Yagba-West received the lowest monetary remittance, which ranged between ₦958,000 – ₦1,443,000. The study thus recommends that policies and programs aimed at enhancing the positive impacts of remittances should focus on promoting entrepreneurship and reducing the dependency of households on remittances.