Analysing Poverty in Nigeria through Theoretical Lenses

Abstract

Various indicators suggest that poverty is a major obstacle to Nigeria's socio-economic development. Poverty has persisted and several interventions have failed to yield significant improvement in Nigeria's Human Development Index even in periods of economic growth. Plagued with the challenges of unemployment crises, climate change, conflict, fragility and violence, Nigeria (the most populous country in Africa) stands at a grave risk if poverty is not tackled. This paper explores seven theories of poverty in literature: The Culture of Poverty, Individual Deficiency Theory, Progressive Social Theory, Geographical Disparities Theory, Cyclical Interdependence Theory, Poverty Individualisation and the Theory of Social Exclusion /Cumulative Disadvantage. It reviews these theories by employing a qualitative and descriptive research approach in order to broaden the understanding of the complexities of the phenomenon of poverty from a global worldview and examine how these relate to the nature of poverty in Nigeria. It corroborates the fact that poverty in Nigeria is complex and multidimensional in its conceptualization and measurement, encompassing economic, social, cultural and psychological indicators. The paper therefore attempts to explore the phenomenon of poverty within the Nigerian context by examining these theoretical paradigms. It suggests an understanding of underlying causal factors of poverty in designing pro-poor programmes and a hydra-headed approach to tackle its menace effectively and progressively. It argues that poverty reduction is realizable by empowering people to develop resilience to cope and overcome it within the scope of their resources and capabilities.

The Root Causes of the Crisis in Northeast Nigeria: Historical, Socioeconomic and Environmental Dimensions

“…The correlation between education and poverty cannot be dismissed. Statistics on employment in Nigeria show categorization of unemployed persons on the basis of age groups, educational qualifications and occupation (Danaan, 2018). Unemployment according to Danaan (2018), has a strong correlation with poverty.…”

“…Statistics on employment in Nigeria show categorization of unemployed persons on the basis of age groups, educational qualifications and occupation (Danaan, 2018). Unemployment according to Danaan (2018), has a strong correlation with poverty. This may explain the fact that in northeast, northcentral and northwest Nigeria where education rates are very low, the poverty rate is higher (JICA, 2011).…”

Policy-Making for Sustainable Empowerment and Poverty Reduction Scheme in Nigeria

“…According to Satterthwaite (2003), sometimes government processes can be incompatible with the effective realization of poverty reduction. Efforts toward reducing poverty may have to require empowering people to develop resilience, as well as overcome it within the bounds of their capabilities and resources (Danaan 2018).…”

The Latin American and Nigerian Conditional Cash Transfer Experience: A Comparative Analysis

“…In the past, Nigeria has implemented several poverty reduction strategies that include Operation Feed Nigeria (1976); Better Life for Rural Women (1987); Family Support Programme (1994); Family Economic Advancement Programme (1997); Poverty Alleviation Programme (2000); National Poverty Eradication Programme (2001); and the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (2003). Notwithstanding all these, poverty eradication has remained a mirage in Nigeria (Danaan, 2018). It is in this vein that Federal Government of Nigeria developed a social reform programme -National Social Safety Nets Project (NASSP) as a sustainable tool in addressing the increasing rate of poverty and vulnerability.…”