International Migration and Support Systems of Left-Behind Spouses in Ibadan, Nigeria

The migration of a spouse across international borders is a major cause of divorce and marital dissolution in Nigeria, especially in Ibadan, where a large number of spouses are left behind. Although the impact of remittances on left-behind spouses has been a major focus of existing studies on migration, support systems appear underrepresented, particularly within hybridised societies where the domains of the interplay between traditionality and modernity of left-behind spouses can be fully narrated. It is against this background that the study was conducted in Ibadan with a specific focus on examining the multifaceted support systems available to left-behind spouses. Jacob Moreno’s social network theory provided the theoretical framework. Forty-one in-depth interviews were conducted with left-behind spouses and their significant others abroad. Twenty-five key informant interviews were conducted with family members and friends of left-behind spouses, and five case studies among the left-behind spouses. Financial support mechanisms, including contributions from the migrant spouse, familial resources, support from both kin and social networks, and savings from personal income emerged as significant pillars of support for the left-behind spouses. Understanding the dynamics of these support systems offers valuable insights into the resilience and adaptive strategies employed against the challenges of migration-induced separations.