Michael Chibuike EZE

Migration has been at the center of global discourses with Nigeria a much talk- about involved country. Generally, migration whether legal or illegal is a decision that impacts the welfare of households and societies in various ways which might be
positive or negative. To this end, this study examines the effects of youth illegal migration on family members. The study employed the review of literature on the concept of illegal migration and other works so as to understand the effects of illegal migration of youths on familymembers. The population for the study was drawn from Egor, Oredo and Ovia North- East local governments in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The paper revealed the causes of illegal migration, its effect on the family and the country as a whole and its implication for social work practice. This work made use of questionnaire in collecting data from the study area. In order to curb the issue of youth illegal migration in Nigeria, the researcher recommends that policymakers or legislators, and other stakeholders in government should make provision for infrastructural development, better social welfare policy and programmes, and economic succor. Also, social workers should be included in the mainstream of decision making body to help in the formulation and implementation of favourable policies and programmes to address the issue of poverty, insecurity and other precipitating factors causing youths to migrate illegall