INTRA-URBAN MIGRATION AS A CHALLENGE TO RISING HOUSING COST IN ILORIN, NIGERIA

Abstract

Rapid urbanization and internal population mobility have become significant drivers of housing demand in many Nigerian cities. This study examines the impact of intra-urban migration on rising housing costs in Ilorin metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, and direct observation from 400 respondents, including landlords, estate valuers, urban planners, and housing developers selected through random sampling. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages to evaluate migration trends, housing conditions, and residential satisfaction. The findings reveal a high level of residential mobility within the city, as Most of the respondents reported relocating within Ilorin in the last five years. The major drivers of relocation were high rent, poor housing conditions, job change, family reasons, and security concerns. Housing condition analysis indicates that self-contained apartments constitute the most common housing type, followed by one-room apartments, reflecting the affordability constraints faced by many residents. Rent distribution shows that 40% of respondents pay between ₦150,000 and ₦300,000 annually, while most of the respondents perceived housing availability as inadequate. Furthermore, most of the respondents expressed dissatisfaction with their housing conditions, while majority agreed that intra-urban migration contributes significantly to housing shortages and rising housing costs in Ilorin metropolis. The study concludes that increasing intra-urban migration intensifies housing demand, leading to rising rental costs and housing deficits. The study therefore emphasizes the need for effective urban housing policies, affordable housing development, and improved urban planning strategies to address housing challenges in rapidly growing cities.