Assessment Of N-Power Programme On Beneficiaries’ Economic Life In Gombe, Nigeria

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to assess the contribution of N-Power programme to beneficiaries’ economic life in Gombe, Nigeria. Precisely, the objectives of the study were to identify the categories of N-Power beneficiaries, the extent of influence on their economic life and the impediments of the N-power programme in Gombe. This study utilized the survey design. Yamane’s formula for determining sample size was used to select 400 persons for the study. Stratified random sampling technique was adopted, where the entire target population was grouped into strata to reflect the beneficiaries of N-teach, beneficiary schools and the government officials. Questionnaires were used to collect data, while key informant interview was used to complement the questionnaire. Furthermore, the study used tables, figures and percentages for analysis of data. The study discovered that the beneficiaries of N-Power programme were mostly composed of non-graduates which comprised secondary school leavers and other skill acquisition aspects followed by the N-Teach, Health strand, N-Agro and Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) strands respectively. The study also found that N-Power has improved the standard of economic life of the beneficiaries through poverty reduction, proficiency skills in ICT, financial empowerment, on-the-job experience and investment in small scale businesses. However, there were impediments confronted by the programme which included delay in payment of allowance, unpaid allowances, distance to working places and lack of supervision. The study therefore, recommended prompt and timely payment of the stipends to beneficiaries of the programme by federal government, timely sorting of problems of unpaid allowances, posting nearest to place of residence and teacher education for N-Teach categories as well as proper supervision.