Rural Poverty Alleviation Strategy in Nigeria

Abstract

Poverty is a topical issue and will continue to remain so for years to come as rural poverty is deepening rural – urban divide in terms of welfare, with average income in rural areas keeps falling below the national poverty line. This paper describes the nature and evolution of poverty in Nigeria since independence. Poverty remains an attribute of vicious circle of low income, low level of savings or lack of it and low investment which lead to low level of employment and income. The growing poverty has resulted in various challenges and anti-social behaviours confronting the nation, including the now recurring economic recession, mal-nutrition, high infant mortality, insecurity, kidnapping, prostitution, unemployment, internet fraud, migration, ritual killings, banditry and terrorism. Efforts of Local, State National government to address poverty concerns through policy initiatives have failed to yield any appreciable result due to poor targeting, alien programme concept, corruption and poor governance. This paper recommends multidimensional approaches with the involvement of the stakeholders' concerned, international agencies and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), efforts at job creation, improved human capita development and economic diversification.