Impact of Rural-Urban Migration on Family Welfare in Sokoto State, North West Nigeria

Rural-urban migration continues to reshape family structures and welfare outcomes across Nigeria, with particular consequences for rural communities in the North West geopolitical zone. This study investigates the impact of rural-urban migration on family welfare in Sokoto State, with data collected from households in Sokoto Municipal, Wamako, and Kware local government areas. A descriptive survey design is adopted, and 100 respondents including household heads, women, and community leaders are selected through simple random and purposive sampling. Structured questionnaires are used for data collection, with analysis conducted through frequencies and percentages. Findings indicate that migration of economically active household members results in reduced agricultural labour, remittance-dependent livelihoods, weakened parental supervision, and disrupted conjugal relationships. Female-headed households left behind are especially vulnerable to food insecurity and lack of social support. Social workers and community welfare officers are largely absent from the rural communities studied, leaving welfare needs unaddressed by professional services. The research recommends deploying social workers to rural areas as part of state ministry outreach teams, developing community-based support programmes for families of migrants, and establishing remittance management education to maximise the welfare benefits of migration. This study adds to the body of knowledge on migration and social welfare in North West Nigeria and informs localised social policy planning. Keywords: rural-urban migration, family welfare, Sokoto State, remittance, social protection