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VOL. 10, ISSUE 5 (2025)
Evaluating the effectiveness of existing urban policies in meeting the needs of women migrants in Nigeria
Authors
Ibrahim Musa, Akagwu Ochuole Shirley, Kabir Mohummed
Abstract
This study evaluates the effectiveness of
existing urban policies in meeting the needs of women migrants in Nigeria
between 2014 and 2024. Women migrants constitute a critical yet marginalized
segment of Nigeria’s urban population, contributing significantly to informal
economies and community development. Despite this, they continue to face
barriers such as inadequate housing, limited access to healthcare, insecure
livelihoods, and weak participation in urban governance. The study adopts a
mixed-methods research design, integrating quantitative surveys of 400–600
women migrants across Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt with qualitative
interviews involving community leaders and NGO representatives. A stratified
sampling technique ensures balanced representation across formal and informal
settlements, while descriptive and inferential analyses are employed to
identify policy gaps and assess the inclusivity of current frameworks. Findings
reveal that although national instruments like the National Migration Policy
(2015) recognize gender sensitivity, implementation remains fragmented and
underfunded. Women migrants continue to experience exclusion from essential
urban services, weak legal protection, and minimal involvement in
decision-making processes. The study identifies key deficiencies, including the
absence of gender-disaggregated data, poor coordination among implementing
agencies, and neglect of informal settlements in urban planning. The research
concludes that sustainable urban development in Nigeria requires
gender-responsive urban governance, emphasizing coordinated institutional
reforms, participatory planning, and economic empowerment initiatives for women
migrants. It recommends stronger local government engagement, inter-ministerial
collaboration, and integration of migrant women’s voices into urban policy
formulation and evaluation. Ultimately, the study underscores that inclusive,
well-funded, and enforceable urban policies are vital to transforming women
migrants from marginalized urban dwellers into active agents of social and
economic change.
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Pages:15-27
How to cite this article:
Ibrahim Musa, Akagwu Ochuole Shirley, Kabir Mohummed "Evaluating the effectiveness of existing urban policies in meeting the needs of women migrants in Nigeria". International Journal of Academic Research and Development, Vol 10, Issue 5, 2025, Pages 15-27
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