Examining Rural-Urban Migration Patterns and Their Socioeconomic Drivers in Plateau State

Rural-urban migration continues to reshape the demographic landscape of Nigeria's North Central geopolitical zone, with Jos, the capital of Plateau State, receiving substantial in-migration flows from surrounding rural local government areas each year. This study examines migration patterns from four predominantly rural source areas in Plateau State (Shendam, Langtang North, Wase, and Pankshin) towards Jos Metropolis, identifying the socioeconomic drivers that motivate departure decisions and influence destination choices. Data were collected through structured interviews with 480 recent migrants residing in Jos, stratified by origin local government area, and supplemented by 40 key informant interviews with community leaders and local government planning officers in sending communities. Push factors including recurrent farmer-herder conflicts, poor rural service delivery, limited non-farm employment, and drought-related crop failures were systematically ranked by respondents. Pull factors centred on employment access, educational opportunities, and social network effects from prior migrants. Bivariate analysis reveals that households experiencing livelihood diversification constraints are 2.4 times more likely to produce a migrant member within a five-year period compared to households with diversified income sources. The study documents selective migration by young men aged 18 to 35, leaving behind feminised and ageing agricultural labour pools in sending communities. Recommendations include rural investment in non-farm enterprise, security stabilisation in conflict-affected areas, and targeted skills training for potential migrants. Keywords: rural-urban migration, Plateau State, push-pull factors, North Central Nigeria, urbanisation.