Title: Rural Entrepreneurship: an antidote to Rising Rural Poverty levels and Rural-Urban Migration in Nigeria
Authors: Dr. Gilbert O. Nworie, Dr. Chineke Abraham Chidi, Prof. Ernest Chike Nwoha
Volume: 10
Issue: 7
Pages: 268-275
Publication Date: 2026/07/28
Abstract:
This study examined the role of rural entrepreneurship in reducing rising poverty levels and rural-urban migration in Nigeria, with specific objectives to determine how rural entrepreneurship influences poverty and rural-urban migration, identify the challenges limiting its effectiveness, and examine measures for strengthening rural entrepreneurship. The study adopted an interpretivist research approach. The study covered rural entrepreneurs across the 36 states of Nigeria and officials from the Ministries of Labour and Commerce in the 36 states as well as the Federal Ministry of Labour, giving a total sample of 73 participants. Primary data were collected through interviews with the selected participants. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that rural entrepreneurship reduced poverty by increasing income, creating employment, improving household welfare, and promoting local economic activities; reduced rural-urban migration through the creation of local employment opportunities and improved living conditions; was constrained by limited access to finance, poor infrastructure, inadequate business support, and unstable government policies; and could be strengthened through improved access to finance, better infrastructure, entrepreneurship training, and consistent government support. The study concluded that rural entrepreneurship is an effective means of reducing poverty and rural-urban migration in Nigeria and recommended that the Federal and State Governments should expand rural entrepreneurship development programmes through grants, low interest loans, and improved market access to strengthen rural enterprises and promote sustainable rural development.