Social Acceptability and Adaptability: The Re-integration and Welfare of Returnees in Benin City, Edo State. Nigeria

Abstract

Despite frantic efforts by concerned bodies to stop or reduce the rate of illegal migration, it is still on the rise with disastrous effects on the migrants as well as their relatives. These migrants often end up in transit and sometimes encounter serious life threatening challenges, after which many are returned/deported. Facts have revealed that Edo State is endemic for illegal migration and this has thus drawn the attention of the national and international communities. It is worthy of note that at the point of arrival, there are usually mixed reactions among relatives and returnees. It is against this backdrop that this study examined the acceptability, re-integration and welfare of returnees who were returned between February and December 2018. Being a descriptive study, it adopted the qualitative method of data collection and analysis using a combination of purposive and convenience sampling techniques in selecting 45 respondents who were returnees. The study findings revealed that most returnees are perceived as under-achievers, some are gladly accepted back by their relatives for certain reasons and there is discontinuity in the re-integration process by relevant bodies and this has affected migrants’ wellbeing. Based on the findings, the study advocated implementable economic and revolutionary developmental policies towards deterring youth from travelling abroad illegally.