Impact Of Rural-Urban Migration on Rural Development: A Study of Selected Rural Areas in Adamawa State, North East, Nigeria

Rural-urban migration has emerged as one of the most significant demographic trends shaping the development trajectory of rural communities in northern Nigeria. This study examined the impact of rural-urban migration on rural development in five selected rural communities - Nkafamiya (Michika LGA), Gurum Nongva (Ganye LGA), Chikila (Guyuk LGA), Verre (Fufore LGA), and Golantabal (Song LGA) - across Adamawa State. Employing a descriptive survey research design with a mixed methods approach, data were collected from 205 respondents drawn from a combined target population of approximately 3,600 households through stratified proportionate random sampling (41 respondents per study community). Structured questionnaires, was used as data collection instrument. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, and means) Findings consistently revealed that the dominant push factors driving out-migration across all five communities include lack of social amenities, desire for better living standards, low agricultural income, inadequate healthcare, and limited educational facilities beyond primary level. The study further found that rural-urban migration has significantly impaired rural development across all study sites by depleting the agricultural labour force, reducing local food production, diminishing community participation in development activities, and weakening social capital. While remittances provide a partial cushion for some households, they are insufficient to compensate for the structural losses caused by sustained out-migration. The study recommends investment in rural infrastructure, creation of agro-based employment, and the strengthening of agricultural support systems as the most effective strategies for mitigating the negative developmental impact of rural-urban migration across these communities and similar rural settlements throughout Adamawa State.