Examining the Role of Acculturation Stress in the Mental Health of Yoruba Students Studying in Northern Nigerian Universities

Internal migration for university education in Nigeria involves significant acculturation demands as students navigate unfamiliar cultural norms, languages, and social environments. Yoruba students attending universities in Northern Nigeria represent a population experiencing substantial acculturation challenges with potential mental health consequences that have not been empirically examined. This study investigates the relationship between acculturation stress and mental health outcomes among Yoruba students enrolled at universities in Kano, Kaduna, and Zaria. A cross-sectional analytical survey is applied to 260 Yoruba students identified through voluntary self-identification and enrolled through stratified sampling. The Acculturation Stress Scale for International Students adapted for internal migration and the General Health Questionnaire-28 are administered alongside a questionnaire capturing duration of residence, Hausa language proficiency, and perceived social support. Regression analysis and path analysis are performed in SPSS. Literature from Nigerian internal migration psychology identifies language barriers, cultural practice conflicts, and social exclusion as the dominant acculturation stressors for southern students in northern universities, with perceived social support as a significant buffer. Berry's Acculturation Framework and the Minority Stress Model provide the theoretical reference. This study addresses a novel empirical gap in Nigerian university student mental health literature. Findings will inform student support services at affected institutions on acculturation-sensitive counselling. Keywords: acculturation stress, mental health, Yoruba students, Northern Nigerian universities, internal migration.