Care Drain and the Ageing Crisis: Intergenerational Migration, Family Support Erosion, and Social Welfare Responses in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

This study examined the relationship between intergenerational migration, family support erosion, and social welfare responses among older adults in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Anchored in the Life Course Theory and the Social Exchange Theory, the study adopted a cross-sectional survey design. A purposive and stratified random sampling technique was used to select 215 participants aged 60 years and above from three local government areas in Ibadan. Standardised instruments including the Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS-6), the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), and the Family Support Index (FSI) were used for data collection. Hypotheses were tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation and multiple regression analysis. Findings revealed a significant negative relationship between intergenerational migration and family support among older adults (r = -.487, p < .05). Additionally, there was a significant influence of family support erosion on the social welfare status of older adults (F(3, 211) = 24.67, p < .05, R² = .259). The study concludes that the migration of younger family members substantially diminishes the social and welfare resources available to ageing populations in Ibadan, necessitating robust social welfare policy reforms. Recommendations are provided for policymakers, social workers, and community-based organisations.