Author(s) :

SARAH Selbyen Dannap.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

This study examines irregular migration and urban survival strategies in Nigeria with specific attention to the activities of Mairuwa in Kuje Area Council, Abuja. The increasing rate of irregular migration into urban and peri urban areas has become a major socio economic challenge in Nigeria, driven by unemployment, rural poverty, insecurity, and unequal access to development opportunities. Many migrants who arrive in urban centres are unable to secure formal employment and therefore depend on the informal economy for survival. In Kuje Area Council, one of the most visible informal survival strategies is the Mairuwa system, where migrants engage in manual cart pushing and goods transportation within markets, motor parks, and commercial centres. The study adopts a qualitative approach based on secondary data analysis and conceptual review of relevant literature on migration, urban informality, and survival economies. Findings reveal that irregular migration into Kuje is largely influenced by structural inequalities and lack of opportunities in rural areas. It also shows that the urban informal economy plays a crucial role in absorbing surplus labour, with Mairuwa activities emerging as an essential component of local economic functioning. These workers contribute significantly to the movement of goods and support for small scale traders, thereby sustaining market operations in peri urban areas. However, the study also finds that Mairuwa workers operate under highly precarious conditions characterized by low income, job insecurity, lack of social protection, and social marginalization. Their activities, while economically important, are largely unregulated and expose them to various vulnerabilities. The study concludes that irregular migration and informal survival strategies are deeply interconnected and reflect broader socio economic challenges in Nigeria’s urban system. It recommends inclusive policies, improved rural development, and formal recognition of informal workers to enhance sustainable urban development. Keywords: Irregular migration, urban survival strategies, informal economy, Mairuwa, Kuje Area Council, urban informality, Nigeria.

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