Rural Urban Migration and Population Pressure in Cosmopolitan Nigerian Cities The Challenges of Infrastructural Development in Enugu and Onitsha Metropolis

Rapid rural urban migration in Nigeria has intensified population pressure on urban infrastructure, particularly in major cities like Enugu and Onitsha. This study investigates sustainable approaches to managing infrastructural challenges arising from such demographic moves. Specifically, it examines the impact of population pressure on physical and social infrastructure, evaluates governmental responses over the years, and proposes practical, long term solutions for infrastructural resilience. A mixed methods approach was employed, combining survey and documentary research designs. Data were collected from 385 purposively selected residents through structured questionnaires, while qualitative insights were obtained via interviews with key stakeholders, including urban planning and waste management agencies. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS Version 28 , and thematic analysis was applied to the qualitative data. Findings indicate that population pressure has significantly strained housing, transportation, waste management systems, water supply infrastructure, healthcare facilities, urban environment, and public utilities and social services in both cities. It was also revealed that successive governments have implemented policies and interventions to address the challenges of population pressure in Enugu and Onitsha metropolis over the years. The study underscores the need for sustainable urban planning, improved inter agency coordination, government and private sector partnerships and investment in infrastructure to enhance urban flexibility. The study was anchored on Stouffer's Theory of Intervening Opportunities, offering a framework for understanding migration driven urban challenges and planning responses. Okegbe, Onyinyechukwu | Ogbuene, Anthony C. "Rural-Urban Migration and Population Pressure in Cosmopolitan Nigerian Cities: The Challenges of Infrastructural Development in Enugu and Onitsha Metropolis" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-9 | Issue-5 , October 2025, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd97483.pdf Paper URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/other-scientific-research-area/other/97483/ruralurban-migration-and-population-pressure-in-cosmopolitan-nigerian-cities-the-challenges-of-infrastructural-development-in-enugu-and-onitsha-metropolis/okegbe-onyinyechukwu