Labour Migration In The Federal Capital Territory: Examining Its Impact On The Socio-Economic Development Of Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja.

Globally, the nexus between migration and development has remained an issue under vigorous academic discourse. Therefore, the process of people migrating to other areas in search of a better life is not a novel one. What has however gained currency is the increasing voluntary movement in the quest for better quality of life by low-skill and low-wage workers as well as high-skill and high-wage workers from less developed rural areas to more developed urban areas, especially among the poor in the developing countries. This is also a situation that has continued to manifest in Gwagwalada, which has resulted in mass influx of people into the area for various reason. This study therefore, is aimed at ascertaining the impact of labour migration on urban development in Gwagwalada Area Council. In carrying out the study, the survey method was adopted, which allowed for the distribution of 150 questionnaires among the sampled population who are residents of Gwagwalada Area Council. Findings revealed that the increase in population has resulted in increased labour force across various occupational competencies in the area; also, there have been increased incidences of crime but with improved commercial benefits; the test of hypothesis revealed that there is a correlation between labour migration and development. The study therefore recommends that government should adopt measures to check the influx of persons from the rural areas by investing in rural communities/ societies. Concerted effort should also be put towards financing the rural enterprises and encouraging effective and efficient agricultural activities by putting in place a National Policy Framework. Rolling Plans should be adopted, as this would assist in increasing the productivity of the rural societies.