1.1 Introduction
Migration has significant influences on our modern societies today. The economic effect of migration is of no concession, as the effort to control migrants’ entry into South Africa, has not only undermined migration but continue to shape its politics, economy, and the society as well in the global system. It is undeniable that individuals travel for various reasons, either in light of the fact that their abilities are sought after or on the grounds that they need to experience the world or most likely redesign their insight and quest for knowledge. The migration of people is a feature of both social and economic life of people across different nations of the world, nonetheless the shape of migrants varies significantly, and this could be as a result of the variety of sources of migration (OECD, 2014).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) succeeded in establishing a passport office at Warri, Delta state. There was also an opening of more Residence permit production center. There was also a construction of Automatic rising Bollards at Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) Head quarters. The agency succeeded in installing security scanning equipment at the main entrance of the Alhaji Shehu Shagari complex Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) head quarters (Ministry of interior, 2017).
Also, according to the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette (2017) the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) introduced a new immigration regulation that compliments the 2015 immigration act which was introduced to meet up the standard of the new International Migration activities in the globe. The act replaces the outdated 1963 immigration act. This new act lay emphasis on regulating border crimes especially terrorism activities. This immigration regulation was established to meet up with the demands and trends that come with the present day International Migration activities. The regulation also was drafted to empower the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).
In addition to her achievement, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has also taken some steps in the battling of border mismanagement by creating a border management information system (MIDAS) at the Ilela border with Niger, a border post at Seme and an establishment of bilateral commission with neighbouring West African States. However, more is expected from this agency (International Organization of Migration 2014: 6) as a migration agency (Nigerian Immigration Service) in a nation-state. The agency (Nigerian Immigration Service) and the Nigerian government are expected to work together for the socio economic development and security of the Nigerian state. This implies that Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has the responsibilities of communicating with the present administration on International Migration matters and how it can relate to the socio economic development and security of the Nigerian state. This study thinks aloud revealing that International Migration activities is monitored by the Nigerian Immigration Service as this agency can be a tool for socio economic development and security in the Nigerian state. (Idio et al, 2015). The study also tends to reveal that qualified immigrants in a nation-state’s work force can supply quality and productive results to the nation state (West, 2011). This is one importance of International Migration that can bring socio economic development in the Nigerian state.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to assess the Contribution of Immigrant Socio Economy of Sokoto Metropolis.
1.3 Statement of Problems
In Nigeria, the major agency responsible for International Migration activities is the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS). Above other functions, the agency’s (Nigerian Immigration Service) duties comprises of all International Migration activities from the migrants identity down to the process of leaving the nation-state or coming into the nation-state. However, the agency (Nigerian Immigration Service) have various challenges that may hinder these achievements (Socio economic development and Security) among them includes porous nature of the Nigerian borders, lack of the agency in various areas coupled with various challenges affecting the Nigerian state such as the influx of little or no skill and undocumented migrants from neighbouring countries in the region and also the emigration of sophisticated experts and skills out of the Nigerian state to their favourite destinations due to the felt “Push” factors.
Finally, have the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) enlightened the ruling government and the Nigerian public on the benefits of “qualified immigrants” into the nation state (Dustmann et al, 2007), as Nigeria requires highly skilled labour to sustain growth. Obviously, a reasonable amount of immigrants entering into the Nigerian state have low skill or no skill, these can decline the labour force and productivity of a nation-state. It has also been revealed that majority of the Fulani herdsmen and the Boko-haram terrorist groups are not Nigerians (Musa, 2011). This raises the question on how they got into the nation-state so easily and unnoticed by the Nigerian Immigration Service. This uncontrolled influx of migrants has resulted to serious challenges to the political, security, planning, crime control, environmental management and socio cultural and economic development in the nation state to mention a few (Ashiru, 2016).
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to assess the Contribution of Immigrant Socio Economy of Sokoto Metropolis. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To examine the role and relevance of Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) in the Sokoto metropolis.
- To determine the contribution of immigrant Socio Economy of Sokoto metropolis
- To determine the duties of Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) in the socio economic development of Sokoto metropolis.
- To identify the challenges facing immigrant socio economy of Sokoto metropolis.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Does the contribution of immigrant enhance the Socio Economy of Sokoto metropolis?
- Is there any significant challenge facing immigrant socio economy of Sokoto metropolis?
- What the role and relevance of Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) in the Sokoto metropolis?
- What the duties of Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) in the socio economic development of Sokoto metropolis?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
- H01: The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) does not help in enhancing the socio economic development of Nigeria.
- H02: There are no significant challenges facing immigrant socio economy of Sokoto metropolis.
1.7 Significance of Study
The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) is no doubt one of the special offices in a nation-state, as it deals with the gates of the Nigerian state in respect to the coming in and going out (emigration and immigration) of persons automatically dealing with the nation state’s security and her socio-economic development since literatures validates the fact that International Migration activities can bring socio-economic development to a state. Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) out of many other sectors is also held responsible for the security of the nation-state as they are the gate keepers of the Nigerian state.
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.8 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the Assessment of Contribution of Immigrant Socio Economy of Sokoto Metropolis.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Definition of Terms
Development: This is a change that is mostly of positive in the peoples life. It is a change for growth in economy, infrastructure, educational, information, industries etc.
Culture: This can be defined as the totality of peoples way of life. It entails the way or what people do as their custom to earn their living without depending on another as source of their living.
Rural: This can simply be seen as a place where social amenities or infrastructures that help to make people live better are scarce or not even available. It is a place where lives are of nature without the aids of artificial things.
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