Assessing the Developmental Impact of Poverty Eradication Programmes in Sokoto State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed the developmental impact of poverty eradication programmes in Sokoto state with particular reference to three poverty eradication programmes notably, National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP), Sokoto State Poverty Reduction Agency (SPORA) and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) project. This is with a view to investigating the degree to which the said programmes have had developmental implications vis-à-vis the target population. Using survey methods expressed in the utility of a total of 1888 household questionnaires that were personally administered, which covered the household survey; and interview (in-depth) guides designed for the key informants’ interviews in addition to focused group discussions, the study collected useful research information. Results from analysis of collected data showed that developmental impact of poverty eradication programmes proves insignificant at 0.324 which is greater than 0.05. This is due largely to the fact that chronic poverty has impacted negatively on the performance of the programmes in Sokoto state. The study concludes that among others, poverty reduction cannot be achieved through government interventions only, and that the three projects (NAPEP, SPORA and MDGs) have only marginally impacted on the development of Sokoto State as many respondents indicated. The data revealed that poverty has increased over the last ten years, as more than half of the respondents endorsed in favour of the stand implying that poverty in the State is not only widespread but chronic. In the same vein, the study has revealed that the projects are not sustainable. Based on the findings and conclusions presented above, the research recommends thus, in Sokoto today there is an urgent need to review the mode of execution of the three poverty reduction programmes. The approach of the poverty reduction programmes from the top needs to be revised. The target beneficiaries need to be involved in the policy formulation so that beneficiaries get what they want which will in turn lead to overall socio-economic development of the state. The poor should therefore be involved in all the programmes’ phases. There is the need to extend the bottom-up concept to include direct participation of benefiting communities in project identification.