Doris Dokua Sasu
Research Expert Ghana and Nigeria
Nigeria has experienced large internal and external migration flows in the last decades. In the 1970s, the oil boom attracted foreigners, and the country saw more people immigrating than emigrating. However, in the 1980s, the number of Nigerians leaving the country increased as a consequence of the economic downturn and political instability. Since then, the net migration rate has stayed negative. With 206 million people, Nigeria has, nonetheless, the largest population in Africa and the seventh largest in the world.
In 2020, 0.6 percent of the population in Nigeria consisted of migrants, equal to 1.3 million people. Among the West African countries, Nigeria has the lowest share of migrants. However, this might be linked to its vast population.
In 2020, 0.6 percent of the population in Nigeria consisted of migrants, equal to 1.3 million people. Among the West African countries, Nigeria has the lowest share of migrants. However, this might be linked to its vast population.
