Methodological pathways to kinship networks and international return migration

Abstract

Although international migration has received significant attention in the literature, this is usually in respect of development and remittances. Methodological issues on the subject are very scarce more so relative to the interface of kinship and international return migration. Yet methodological issues remain crucial to useful understanding of the processes and dynamics of the problem. This article thus fills the gap by concentrating on methodological lacuna in the literature on this all important subject. The paper relied on the authors' methodological experiences while undertaking research among international returnees and their kin in Nigeria and concludes that it is impossible to successfully research international migration, especially return, within kinship frameworks, for sustainable development in developing nations without deploying original, innovative nuanced and context specific research methodology like the one adopted in this article.

International Migration, Diaspora Investments and Development in Nigeria

“…This number of interviewees was chosen because of the focus of the study. The interviewees were hard to reach people for security and safety reasons in a very insecure country like Nigeria (Akanle & Olutayo, 2012).…”

“…When international migrants relate with Nigerians, it is usually with extreme care and they keep low profile. They often make themselves inaccessible and usually deny people access to them (Akanle & Olutayo, 2012). This building was of inaccessibility and protection by migrants was usually for two major reasons.…”

“…They were also assured of anonymities and confidentialities. International migrants are hidden and relatively scarce and the fact that some of them were not willing to disclose any information based on their investments for safety and trust reasons was seriously a challenge to the study though this was overcome eventually due to continuous assurances, professional retooling and strategic engagements (Akanle & Olutayo, 2012).…”