Gender and Migration Aspirations in Nigeria: A Comparative Study of the States of Edo and Kaduna

This study examines the relationship between gender and migration aspirations in the Nigerian states of Kaduna and Edo, located in the northern and southern regions, respectively. Regression analysis reveals that respondents in Edo are more likely than those in Kaduna to report higher levels of migration aspirations and concrete plans to emigrate. Disaggregated data reveal a notable pattern: women in Kaduna, especially those who are married, are less likely than men to report high migration aspirations or emigration plans. These results may be explained by the salience of gender norms: women are expected to be homemakers, which attenuates their migration aspirations. By contrast, women in Edo do not differ from men in terms of migration aspirations; they are, however, less likely than men to have made actual emigration plans. The relationship between gender and emigration plans is also moderated by marital status and household wealth in Edo. Specifically, women from wealthy households report a lower probability of making emigration plans compared to men from similar households, while the negative impact of marriage on migration aspirations is less pronounced for women than for men.