Abstract
Research on migrants’ remittance in Nigeria has largely focused on the contribution to national development and economic well-being of family members. In contrast, this article explores the way in which remittance serves as potential sources of conflict within migrant households. The article investigates intra-household conflicts related to migrant remittances, revealing the contradictory and unintended consequences of remittances destabilizing cordial relationships between migrants and family members. Within the family (mainly extended families), the sharing of remittance is often accompanied with envy, distrust, and accusation of witch hunt. While improper utilization and accountability of remittances strain relationships, migrants are forced to re-strategize on how remittances get to their relatives and sometimes cut off communication and remittances with family members. Based on the qualitative data collected in Benin City (Edo State) in Nigeria, the article investigates intra-household conflicts emanating from migrant remittances, from the perspectives of migrants on holidays.
Highlights
Economic remittances have become an important part of the debate around migration and development and are seen as a crucial component of socioeconomic well-being of individuals and of nations (House of Commons International Development Committee, 2004; International Organization for Migration, 2005; World Bank, 2013)
Narratives from Nigerian migrants revealed that most remittance-based conflicts within their households were as a result of mismanagement and unaccountability of remittances, chauvinistic tendencies of household heads over remittance disbursements, and high expectations within the nuclear and extended family members
These were linked as major pointers of distrust and envy, which often serve as fertile grounds for remittance-related conflicts
Summary
Economic remittances have become an important part of the debate around migration and development and are seen as a crucial component of socioeconomic well-being of individuals and of nations (House of Commons International Development Committee, 2004; International Organization for Migration, 2005; World Bank, 2013). Through interviews with Nigerian migrants on holidays, five themes emanated from their narratives regarding remittances to family members: (a) unaccountability and inappropriate use of remittances, (b) unequal power play in remittance disbursement and utilization within the households, (c) demands and pressures on migrants, (d) conflict of expectations, and (e) rivalries between migrants and their family members. On these themes was the discussion of the findings of the research premised
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