Nearly 9 in 10 Cross River residents consider leaving state amid worsening services, Report

Nearly nine in 10 residents of Nigeria's Cross River State are contemplating a move away from the region, according to a recent study. The SBM Intelligence report, "Where Nigerian Families Actually Thrive," reveals a staggering 89.9% relocation intent rate among respondents, driven by a sharp decline in public services and infrastructure.

The study assessed residents' perceptions across various quality-of-life indicators, including income, safety, affordability, healthcare, education, electricity supply, and community support. Cross River consistently ranked among the lowest performers, placing last or near last in 11 of the 15 assessed indicators. Residents cited deteriorating road conditions, with one community leader lamenting that "Even a wheelbarrow cannot pass through these roads, let alone a car."

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An 89.9 per cent relocation intent rate signals a coming demographic haemorrhage that will compound its fiscal position within a decade.

Beyond infrastructure decay, healthcare emerged as a significant concern, alongside unreliable electricity and mounting refuse in urban centers. The report warns that this "demographic haemorrhage" could severely compound the state's fiscal position within a decade if urgent reforms are not enacted. The findings contrast sharply with other states surveyed, such as Oyo, where less than 2% of respondents wished to leave, and Anambra and Lagos, which saw around 49% relocation intent, largely due to high living costs and power supply issues.

While Abuja remains a preferred internal migration destination, the data from Cross River paints a grim picture of a state facing a potential exodus of its population due to a severe governance and service delivery deficit. The report urges immediate government action on critical public services to avert a deepening crisis.

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Even a wheelbarrow cannot pass through these roads, let alone a car.