How Rural-Urban Migration Leaves Many Big Mansions Empty In Southeast Communities

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

Data and observations across the five states of the Southeast have reportedly shown a pattern of thin population in many rural communities, as a large number of natives now live permanently in major cities and in the Diaspora, leaving many big mansions without occupants.

According to information from community development unions and migration reports, states like Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Abia and Ebonyi have reportedly witnessed sustained rural-urban migration over the past two decades, with many of their indigenes settling in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and outside Nigeria.

The National Population Commission, NPC, and the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, have in various reports indicated that the Southeast has one of the highest rates of outward migration among zones in the country, with many youths and working-class residents seeking economic opportunities outside the region.

A community leader in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State, who spoke with P.M. EXPRESS but asked not to be named, reportedly said more than half of the registered members of his town union live outside the Southeast.

“In my community, if you check our town union register, about 60 percent of our people live in Lagos, Abuja or abroad in places like the United States, United Kingdom and Canada. That is why you see many big houses locked up,” the source reportedly said.

Findings in towns such as Nnewi and Ihiala in Anambra State, Owerri West and Orlu in Imo State, Nsukka in Enugu State and Arochukwu in Abia State reportedly show a similar pattern, where large buildings with six to ten bedrooms are left in the care of elderly parents or caretakers.

Residents reportedly said many of the mansions are only occupied during festive periods like Christmas, Easter and during traditional festivals and burial ceremonies, after which they become empty again.

A youth leader in Enugu State reportedly said the thin population in many villages has become obvious during the day.

“If you go round many villages now, you will see fine mansions but you will not see many people. Many young people have left. It is only during December you see full population. The big houses remain with empty rooms,” he said.

Data from the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, has shown that a significant number of Nigerians in the Diaspora originate from the Southeast, with many maintaining family homes in their villages which they visit occasionally.

A building surveyor based in Owerri, who asked not to be named for professional reasons, reportedly said some of the houses were built to fulfil family obligations rather than for immediate residential need.

“Many clients tell us they want to build a big house at home because they don’t want to be seen as someone who did not build at home. Even though they live in Lagos or London, they still build eight-bedroom duplexes that will stay empty for months,” he reportedly said.

Stakeholders have reportedly said the development has both economic and security implications, as maintaining large empty buildings costs more and may attract vandalism or bush encroachment when not properly managed.

Some traditional rulers in the region are now reportedly encouraging their subjects to build more manageable and maintainable structures, and to invest in ventures that can bring people back to live and work in the Southeast, rather than just constructing large mansions with empty rooms.

As of the time of filing this report, many communities across the Southeast reportedly continue to experience thin population during most months of the year, as many of their natives reside in cities and in the Diaspora, while their large village mansions remain largely unoccupied.