Socio-Economic Influence of Retirees’ Migration on Rural Development in Ekiti State, Nigeria
Adebo G.M., A. B. Sekumade

Abstract
The study focused on socioeconomic influence of retirees’ migration on rural development in Ekiti State, Nigeria. A total of 135 respondents were randomly selected from 18 villages in six LGAs of the State. Findings indicate that the retirees were mostly males, between 61-70 years of age, highly educated but with large family sizes. Factors that push them away from urban to rural areas were urban problems such as stress, stealing and crime and to reduce cost of living in urban areas. The pull factors were to invest in local occupations, benefit from natural resources, contribute to community development, interact with village peer groups, contribute to extended family life, participate in community decision making process, provide leadership in the community, moving closer to family and friends, acts as advisers in community matters, quest to contribute to family development. Retirees influenced rural development in Ekiti State through acting as advisers in the rural community, educating rural people, settling communal problems and giving moral support to the people. They also benefited from rural communities through being self reliant, freedom of movement, accessibility to land and freedom from urban stress. However challenges faced by the retirees include too many activities of family and communities, absence of infrastructures, poor pension payment and inadequate information. The study recommends that retirees’ allowance should be of priority to the Federal Government in order to enhance their contribution to rural development and Rural Infrastructures should also be provided to make rural areas comfortable for migrant retirees in Ekiti State.

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