Unintended Consequences of Remittance

Research on migrants’ remittance in Nigeria has largely focused onthe contribution to national development and economic well-being of family members. Incontrast, this article explores the way in which remittance serves as potential sourcesof conflict within migrant households. The article investigates intra-householdconflicts related to migrant remittances, revealing the contradictory and unintendedconsequences of remittances destabilizing cordial relationships between migrants andfamily members. Within the family (mainly extended families), the sharing of remittanceis often accompanied with envy, distrust, and accusation of witch hunt. While improperutilization and accountability of remittances strain relationships, migrants are forcedto re-strategize on how remittances get to their relatives and sometimes cut offcommunication and remittances with family members. Based on the qualitative datacollected in Benin City (Edo State) in Nigeria, the article investigates intra-householdconflicts emanating from migrant remittances, from the perspectives of migrants onholidays