Nigeria combines substantial natural and human resources with persistently high poverty. The 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index shows that 133 million people (63 per cent of the population) are multidimensionally poor. Recent World Bank and IMF assessments confirm that monetary poverty and food insecurity remain elevated despite post-2023 macroeconomic reforms. This paper argues that weak institutional capacity is the critical missing link between reform and household welfare. Drawing on institutional economics, state-capacity theory and the capability approach, it conceptualises institutional capacity in five dimensions: administrative, technical, political, fiscal and coordination capacity. Using a structured integrative review of official statistics, multilateral reports, governance indicators and peer-reviewed studies, the analysis shows how capacity shortfalls sustain the poverty trap through implementation failures, leakages, weak service delivery and low public trust. Stronger capacity can convert stabilisation gains into improved human capabilities, productivity and resilience. The paper contributes an institutional-capacity transmission framework and concludes that macroeconomic stabilisation is necessary but insufficient. Sustained poverty reduction requires professional public administration, institutionalised social protection, stronger fiscal institutions and sequenced reforms that protect sub-national delivery capacity. Read more

This study examined the impact of financial inclusion technologies on poverty reduction in Nigeria covering the period 2013Q1 to 2024Q4. Data for the study were extracted from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Statistical Bulletin, 2024. The expo-facto research design was adopted in the study. The multiple linear regression with the application of Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) technique was adopted as the method of data analysis. The major findings of the study reveal that Point on Sales (POS) contributes positively and significantly to poverty reduction in Nigeria, Automated Teller Machines (ATM) contributes positively and significantly to poverty reduction in Nigeria, Web Pay (WP) contributes negatively and significantly to poverty reduction in Nigeria and Mobile Pay (MP) contributes negatively and significantly to poverty reduction in Nigeria. The study therefore recommends that there should a simplification of the user interface and payment processes to accommodate individuals with limited technical knowledge and the monetary authorities should launch nationwide financial and digital literacy programs to educate users on how to safely and effectively use Mobile Pay systems for transactions and savings. Read more

This paper examines the dynamics of public policy and social protection systems in Nigeria, focusing on the twin challenges of inclusiveness and sustainability. Social protection has become a critical instrument for poverty reduction, human capital development, and social stability in Nigeria, with key programmes such as the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT), and N-Power designed to mitigate vulnerability and promote resilience. Drawing from existing literature, empirical studies, and the Social Risk Management (SRM) theoretical framework, the paper analyses how Nigeria’s policy architecture has evolved to respond to poverty and inequality while contending with governance, fiscal, and institutional constraints. Findings reveal that although social protection interventions have improved income stability, education outcomes, and access to basic welfare among beneficiaries, coverage remains uneven due to political interference, data integrity issues, and weak coordination. Sustainability is further threatened by unstable funding, administrative discontinuity across political transitions, and limited integration of climate and labour-market resilience. The study concludes that for Nigeria’s social protection system to achieve lasting inclusiveness and sustainability, reforms must institutionalise transparency, legal backing, predictable financing, and adaptive mechanisms responsive to economic and environmental shocks. The paper recommends the enactment of a comprehensive Social Protection Act, the strengthening of the National Social Register, decentralised but coordinated delivery systems, and linkage of transfers to long-term economic inclusion strategies. Read more

This study employed survey design to investigate the impacts of N-power Programmes on Poverty Reduction and Youth Empowerments in Nigeria with special interest in Eket Senatorial District of Akwa Ibom State. Specifically, the trends and effects of N-teach and N-Agro on poverty reduction and youth empowerments were examined. The instruments for data collection were questionnaire and structured interview questions. A simple random sampling technique was adopted to select six hundred (600) N-Power beneficiaries from the three federal constituencies that made up Eket Senatorial District as sample size for the study. The method of data analysis was both qualitative and quantitative, where comparative and descriptive methods were adopted along with Students t-test. The stylized facts illustrated that although the N-power programme has offered the beneficiaries a token of income, the income was grossly inadequate. The low income and inability of the beneficiaries to acquire basic goods and services for survival with dignity signified that the youths were not financially empowered, hence, poverty persisted. Also, the empirical evidence revealed that the p-value of 1 was greater than the significance level of 0.05 with a degree of freedom of 10, as such; the null hypothesis was accepted that no significant difference exists in poverty and youth empowerments between the periods of N-power and the period before the N-power programme. The paper recommended that government should increase the Stipend to the new minimum wage, avoid delays in monthly Payments of Stipend and, ensure a transition plan for the beneficiaries after their training. Read more

This study examines the contributions of cooperative societies to poverty reduction in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area (LGA), Benue State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to ascertain the contributions of cooperative societies to poverty reduction, examine the challenges faced by cooperative societies and to proffer strategies that will enhance efficiency in cooperative societies. The study utilizes a cross-sectional survey design, collecting data from 400 respondents selected through cluster, purposive, and simple random sampling techniques. Questionnaires and focus group discussions were used as methods of data collection while collected data was analysed qualitatively and quantitatively. Findings of the study revealed that cooperative societies have contributed to poverty reduction in the areas of employment generation, increased production, income generation, skills acquisition and market access to its members. In terms of challenges faces by cooperative societies, the study found poor leadership, lack of collateral, poor mobilization/awareness and insufficient funds as the major challenges confronting cooperative societies in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area. Based on the findings, the study recommended capacity building for leaders of cooperative societies, access to credit facilities, sensitization and awareness, financial support, monitoring and evaluation among others as measures that will enhance efficiency in cooperative societies to enhance their contributions to poverty reduction. Read more

The effects of the N-power programme on poverty reduction and unemployment in Nigeria are investigated in this paper. Secondary data from 2004 to 2021 were employed but in comparison of two periods. Charts, Graph, Tables and Student t-test developed by Fisher were employed in analyzing the data. The result from the stylized facts revealed that there was an insignificant reduction in poverty rates as poverty rates during N-power average 41.26% and fluctuate within the six years of implementation of the programme. The p-value of 0.1748 which is higher than 0.05 confirmed that there is no statistical significant difference between poverty reductions in the two periods. The result also shows that N-power programme has not been effective in curbing unemployment as the rate of unemployment keeps increasing in the country. For N-Power to be effective in curbing poverty and unemployment, this paper recommends that government should have a transitional plan for beneficiaries, for the programme to a long term employment. This can be achieved by creating employment opportunities for beneficiaries within the ministries and agencies of governments, and encouraging the private sector to absorb the beneficiaries after some periods of training. Beneficiaries can also be given interest-free loans and mentorship to start their own small businesses and to employ others. Where this is not possible within the stipulated period, beneficiaries of the N-power should be made to stay on the programme until they find paid employment rather than lay them off to the labour market after two years without adequate plan to keep them off the poverty trap. Read more

The study examined the factors hindering Agricultural Cooperative Societies from contributing adequately to poverty and hunger eradication among the rural community dwellers in Ido-Osi Local Government Area in Ekiti State. It also determined how the government and other agencies can assist Agricultural Cooperative Societies to sustain inclusive agricultural development and eradicate poverty and hunger among Ido-Osi Local Government Area rural households. The project employed primary data sources; the primary sources were one hundred and twenty self-administered questionnaires, of which ninety were retrieved and analysed using the linear regression model. The result indicated factors hindering agricultural cooperative societies have a negative and significant contribution to poverty and hunger eradication among the rural community dwellers in Ido-Osi Local Government Area, and ways in which agricultural cooperative societies can be assisted by government and other agencies have a positive and significant effect to sustaining inclusive agricultural development and eradication of poverty and hunger among rural households in Ido-Osi Local Government Area, Ekiti State. The study recommends that awareness should be made and emphasising patronising agricultural cooperative societies, which can serve as one way to reduce poverty in the state. Also, microfinance banks and other financial institutions supporting agricultural cooperative societies should increase the volume base of funds allotted to cooperatives with minimal and bearable interest rates. Read more

This paper discusses the concept of poverty and relates it to Nigerian situation and looks at various poverty reduction strategies by successive governments in Nigeria and agrees that such strategies did not yield the desired results as more than half of the country’s population still wallows in poverty. The paper looks at the experience of the Libyan government under the administration of Muammar Gaddafi in fighting poverty as an example that can be replicated in fighting poverty in Nigeria. The paper concludes by recommending ways in which the Nigerian Government can adopt in tackling poverty in the country. Read more

The rise of the knowledge-based economy is closely linked to globalization and recent advancements in technology. This paper explores how adopting a knowledge-based economy can help reduce poverty and unemployment in Nigeria. The concept emphasizes that information and knowledge are central to a nation's economic growth and development. Technological advancements and innovation drive the knowledge-based economy by influencing production methods, consumption patterns, and the structure of economies. A knowledge-based economy significantly utilizes human capital to generate new knowledge, technologies, and innovations, leading to job creation and a reduction in poverty and unemployment. Tertiary institutions play a crucial role in this process by enhancing the capacity of researchers and entrepreneurs. They achieve this by fostering the creation of new knowledge, products, and services through the strategic use of ICTs and cross-border knowledge flows. However, adopting a knowledge-based economy in Nigeria faces several challenges. Tertiary institutions, which act as catalysts for its implementation, are hindered by issues such as low investment in human capital, limited ICT integration, and inadequate access to educational opportunities. To address these challenges, the paper recommends prioritizing the development of human capital through well-structured capacity-building and staff development programs. These initiatives will enhance intellectual capacity and improve the quality of education, thereby fostering a thriving knowledge-based economy. Read more