Workshop 5 - Internal Migration: Trends, Tensions, and Policy Responses (Presented by the Provincial And Territorial Politics Section)

W502 - Internal Migration: Trends, Tensions and Policy Responses in the Global South

Date: Jun 3 | Time: 10:15am to 11:45am | Location: SJA-454E

Chair/Président/Présidente : Catherine Xhardez (Universite de Montreal)

Discussant/Commentateur/Commentatrice : Matthew Mitchell (University of Saskatchewan)

Discussant/Commentateur/Commentatrice : Isabelle Côté (Memorial University)

Who Belongs Where? The Politics of Internal Deportation, Nativism, and Migration in Nigeria: Ezenwa Olumba (Royal Holloway, University of London)
Abstract: In Nigeria’s federal system, certain states impose mobility restrictions that result in the internal deportation of citizens to their purported ‘states of origin’. This paper examines the practice by the Lagos State government of deporting Nigerians, often labelled as ‘non-indigenes’, and analyses how these actions serve as instruments of internal migration governance. While existing scholarship has addressed these mobility restrictions as violations of constitutional rights, less attention has been paid to how these practices intersect with broader migration control. Grounded in nativism theory and based on content analysis of policy documents and media reports, the paper situates internal deportation within a continuum connecting internal and international migration regulation. The findings suggest that internal deportations function as a form of segregation that privileges some and marginalises others. They also reveal how state policies are used to legitimise these exclusionary practices and expose the structural weaknesses of Nigeria’s federal system. They show that nativist labelling, exclusionary rhetoric, and security discourses are used to reinforce negative perceptions of internal migrants to sustain these actions. The paper contributes to scholarship on migration politics in federal states and calls for policy reform to safeguard constitutional rights and freedoms.

Hausa and Yoruba Migration Mingles in Nigeria: Historical Perspectives on Politics, Policies and Nativist Narratives: Rasheed Olaniyi (University of Ibadan)
Abstract: Hausa and Yoruba Migration Mingles in Nigeria: Historical Perspectives on Politics, Policies and Nativist Narratives Prof. Rasheed Oyewole OLANIYI Department of History, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria Email: rasolaniyi@gmail.com Abstract Internal migration is deeply tied to economic and social opportunities, exemplified by the migration of Yoruba traders to the northwest and the movement of Hausa traders to the southwest. This north-south migration pattern represents a dynamic two-way exchange or migration mingles. Hausa and Yoruba migration mingles occurred simultaneously across each other’s territories in the northwest and southwest, Nigeria respectively. This reflected the free flow of internal mobility and migration dating back to at least 16th century, which persisted till contemporary time. Hausa and Yoruba shared the same Nigerian nationality and benefited from nation-wide labour migration and market resources. Hausa migrants have preeminent presence in rural and urban Yorubaland in southwestern Nigeria, while Yoruba migrants also formed boisterous communities in Hausaland northwestern Nigeria. This paper argues that given the ethnically competitive politics in Nigeria, migration mingles between the two most populous and powerful ethnic groups in the country has witnessed social integration, tensions, conflicts and nativist narratives. From the 1950s, party politics and political affiliations affected migrants in their respective destinations. In the 1960s, the imposition of Northernisation policy led to labour market segmentation and discrimination of non-indigenes. In Lagos, urban renewal projects and security led to the eviction of beggars, migrant artisans and commercial motorcycle (Okada) riders mostly from Northern Nigeria.

The Role of Climate Change on Driving Mobility: A Perspective of Rural Residents: Dina Moawad (University of Gastronomic Sciences)
Abstract: Climate change has been recognized as a significant driver of human mobility. Although its effects on migration have been studied, analyzing these impacts in vulnerable rural and inner areas, particularly in Europe, presents challenges. This paper investigates the impact of climate change on personal migration choices. It analyses how local households in inner Europe perceive mobility driven by climate changes, considering their experiences and vulnerabilities. In a case study of “Lioni,” a small municipality located in southern Italy, and through 21 interviews, the findings reveal a high level of awareness regarding climate change among residents. They recognize the climatic impacts on their lives; however, they do not yet consider it a “valid” reason for migration. On the other hand, they believe that, without effective adaptation policies, climate change will lead to mobility decisions in the future.

Community Land Law and Sons of the Soil Conflict: Bethany Lacina (University of Rochester)
Abstract: Community land laws protect traditional and indigenous communities from dispossession. They also limit the sale and/or use of land by both domestic and international migrants. Often, those restrictions are politically inconsequential because there is little demand to move to designated community lands. However, community lands may come under stress if agricultural patterns change or if expanding cities edge up against formerly remote reserved lands. This paper examines how demand for internal migration influences the sustainability of community land laws and the risks of sons of the soil violence against migrants. I hypothesize that community land institutions are stable when demand for migration to the area is low and/or the demand for movement to the area is coming from politically marginal constituencies. Community land laws are modified to allow migration only in the unusual circumstances of (a) land demands originating from politically powerful constituencies or (b) urban expansion. These arguments are investigated using data on migration, urbanization and changes to community land laws in Latin America and Oceania.

Participants:
Didier Ruedin (Universite de Neuchatel)
Chinmay Tumbe (Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad)