IMPLICATIONS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS’ POVERTY ALLEVIATION PROGRAMMES TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF OREDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

This study examined the implications of local governments’ poverty alleviation programmes to sustainable development in Nigeria: A case study of Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria. Specifically, the research was carried out to determine if there is any significant relationship between local economic empowerment development scheme and reduced poverty; local government universal basic education programme and increased primary school enrollment as well as significant relationship between the local government social investment transfer scheme and increased self-employment in Oredo Local Government Area. Quantitative survey method was adopted as the research design. Data was collected through administration of questionnaire to selected respondents. Data analysis of the research questions was done using the frequency count and percentages while the hypotheses were tested using multivariate regression analysis. The findings in this study revealed that there was a significant relationship between local government universal basic education programme and increased primary school enrollment in Oredo Local Government Area. There was however, no significant relationship between local economic empowerment development scheme and reduced poverty in Oredo Local Government Area as well as no significant relationship between the local government social investment transfer scheme and increased self-employment in Oredo Local Government Area. Based on the findings, it was recommended that local governments should review and revise their poverty alleviation strategies to ensure they are effectively targeting the root causes of poverty in their respective areas. This may involve conducting thorough needs assessments and consulting with local communities to tailor interventions that address specific challenges.

Keywords: Economic empowerment development scheme, Local government, Poverty, Universal Basic Education programme, Social investment transfer scheme,Self-employment.