Between Policy Expectations and Realities of Poverty Reduction Efforts: An Assessment of National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) in Yobe State, Nigeria

Abstract

Between Policy Expectations and Realities of Poverty Reduction Efforts: An Assessment of National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) in Yobe State, Nigeria Ali Ibrahim Abbas Abstract Despite previous efforts in reducing poverty in Nigeria, the situation of poverty across the country remains worrisome. Building on the experiences of previous efforts, NAPEP was established in 2001 with a view to eradicate extreme poverty across the country. Its main goal was to achieve MDG goal one of eradicating extreme poverty by at least 50% by the year 2015 across Nigeria. However, policy expectations are entirely different from reality. After full implementation of NAPEP in Nigeria, Yobe State is ranked among 10 states with the highest incidence of poverty in the country. This study is therefore an attempt to identify policies and programmes of NAPEP; measure its effectiveness and impact on the poor of Yobe State. The finding of the study show that, despite various efforts made by NAPEP to reduce poverty, its impact on the poor in Yobe State remains devastating as policy expectations of the programme failed in achieving its stated objectives. Based on its finding, the study thus identified and developed an effective policy framework within which national and local resources and networks can be exploited by the programme for the benefit of all citizens, especially the poor. Full Text: PDF DOI: 10.15640/jsspi.v4n1a3