Impact of Rural-Urban Migration on Local Government Development Planning in Delta State

This study examines the impact of rural-urban migration on development planning processes in local government areas of Delta State, situated in Nigeria's South South geopolitical zone. The persistent movement of economically active populations from rural communities to urban centers such as Warri and Asaba has created a demographic imbalance that challenges local government capacity to deliver services and sustain development programs. The study adopts a descriptive research design and collects primary data from 220 respondents including local government planners, community association leaders, and returning migrants through structured questionnaires and key informant interviews. The Push-Pull Theory of migration and the Growth Pole Theory provide the conceptual framework for the study. Secondary data sources include Delta State government planning documents and the National Population Commission. The study investigates how population depletion in rural communities affects tax revenue generation, labor supply for development projects, and demand for public services. Findings are anticipated to demonstrate that migration significantly disrupts local development planning cycles and weakens community governance structures. The research recommends the integration of migration data into local government development plans and the creation of economic incentives to retain skilled residents in rural communities. It contributes to the literature on population dynamics and sub-national governance in Nigeria's Niger Delta region. Keywords: Rural-urban migration, local government, development planning, Delta State, South South.