Migration, urbanization and climate change in the Niger Delta of Nigeria

Akachi C. Odoemene, Redeemer's University

This paper examines the nexus of migration, urbanization and climate change in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria between 1970 and 2010, looking particularly on two major cities – Port Harcourt and Warri. It shows how persistent rural urban migration has led to an over-population and crowding of these urban social spaces. This situation reinforced the expansion of informal settlements in the suburb of the cities. It further exhibits how due to the hazardous nature of climate change in the delta region, the informal settlements were not just threatened, but effectively became threats to human habitation and lives. It argues that these developments have led to two trends in the urban centres: (1) people began to migrate away from the informal settlements and back to the inlands; (2) increased insecurity and incidents of crime. Both primary and secondary sources were utilized for the study within a multidisciplinary framework.