Impact of N-Power Social Investment Programme on Poverty Alleviation among Youths in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

As in other developing countries, poverty in Nigeria has been one of the most menacing social and economic problems it has to contend with. The high rate of poverty has engendered many social vices, such as armed robbery, destitution, economic crises, widening income disparity, health-related problem dependency, political thuggery, and a host of others. The study evaluated the effect of the N-Power Social Investment Programme on poverty alleviation among youth beneficiaries in Ekiti State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling method was used to select 180 respondents from the study area. A validated and structured interview schedule was employed to gather information from the participants. The collected data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including frequency counts, percentages, means, standard deviations, and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation analysis. The findings revealed that the average age of the respondents was 22.5 years, with over two-thirds (65.0%) being male. Most (78.0%) programme beneficiaries were single, and 65.0% identified as Christians. The average household size among the respondents was 2.5 ± 1.5, and 65.0% earned between ₦31,000 and ₦40,000 monthly. Most respondents engaged in three main areas of the programme: N-Power Agro (35.9%), N-Power Teach (33.3%), and N-Power Health (30.8%). The correlation analysis showed no significant relationship between the youth's involvement in the N-Power Social Investment Programme and poverty reduction (r = 0.165, p ≤ 0.240) at a 0.05 per cent significance level. The primary challenges faced by these youths when participating in the programme included poor recruitment processes, lack of commitment from some stakeholders, delays in monthly stipend payments, and insufficient programme monitoring. The study concluded that the N-Power Programme has not effectively alleviated poverty among the youth population seeking empowerment. It is recommended that the government and non-governmental organisations invest more efforts and resources into poverty-related initiatives, including the N-Power Social Investment Programme.