The Role of Social in Combating Poverty in Niger State, Nigeria

Ijaiya, Mukaila Adebisi, (2017) The Role of Social in Combating Poverty in Niger State, Nigeria. PhD thesis, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS).

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Abstract

Numerous policy measureshas been set by the Nigeria govenmlent slllce the year of independent (i.e. 1960), aimto reduce the poverty rate in the country. Even though, there are some specific policies designed, such as: 'Austerity Measure and Structural Adjustment Program' (SAP), 'Directorate of Food, Roads and Rural Infrastructure's (DFRRl), 'Integrated Rural Development Project', -Better Life Program ', ' Family Support Program " ' Mass Transit Program', 'National Directorate of Employment', 'Peoples' Bank', 'Family Economic Advancement Program', 'National Poverty Eradication Program ', 'Subsidy Re-investment Program' (SURE-P),yet there is still high rate of poverty in the country. In responding to this high poverty rate in Nigeria, this study aims to provide ways in which the level of poverty in Niger State, Nigeria can be reduced by looking at the role of social capital on poverty reduction in Niger State, Nigeria. The study analyze the importance of social capital as a solution to social interaction which provides an examinations of its relevancy towards poverty reduction in Niger State, Nigeria. Using a set of household data generated from the administration of structured questionnaire of 479 households in Niger State, thus the objectives of this thesis is in three folds, firstly, this thesis examines the nature of social capital in Niger State, using descriptive statistic of cross tabulation. The study shows that there is a presence of social capital in Niger State. Secondly, the thesis assessed the impact of social capital toward poverty reduction in Niger State, Nigeria, using structural equation model (AMOS). The social capital variables considered includes, community volunteerism, community organizational life, commitment in public affairs, infonnal cooperation and trust. The results obtained shows that apart from commitment in public affairs, all other variables were statistically significant, thus, fulfilling the priori expectation in assuming the more people of the study area are engage in social capital components the more they find themselves out of poverty. Thirdly, this thesis investigate the dimension of social capital on poverty status of heads of household in Niger State, Nigeria. Tobit regression model was employed to estimate the dimension of social capital on poverty depth among households in Niger State, Nigeria. Out of 12 variables that were tested using Tobit regression analysis, only 7 were statistically significant, these are, age, sex, household size, education, household asset endowment, community volunteerisDl, community organizational life, informal cooperation and commitment in public affairs. Based on the result generated from this thesis, policy measures that would enhance the role of social capital in the community thus helps to poverty reduction in Niger State, Nigeria in particular and in general were suggested.

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