Assessment of National Poverty Reduction Programmes in Nigeria: A Study of National Poverty Eradication Programme (Napep) Ebonyi State
Onwe, Sunday Onwe; Nwakamma Michael Chibuzor

Abstract
The paper sought to assess the National Poverty Reduction Programmes in Nigeria with specific focus on NAPEP Ebonyi State. The study became imperative based on the debilitating effects of poverty which often manifests in loss of hope, aspirations, malnutrition and sometimes sudden death. The startling 69% national poverty level and 73.6% rate in Ebonyi state is a clear indication that poverty is still very high in Nigeria. The study therefore evaluated NAPEP’s performance in the area of human capital development, infrastructure facilities, access to safe drinking water, sanitation and access to basic education which are some of the parameters for measuring poverty level. A descriptive survey design was adopted with a sample population of 400 which spread across the six local governments studied. The major instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire, which was distributed to the respondents and a total number of 380 questionnaire were duly filled and returned representing 95% of the sample population. The data collected was analyzed with statistical tables, percentage calculations and chi-square. The study among other thing, found out that NAPEP has not really impacted on the development of human capital, it equally revealed that the agency has not improved access to basic education and infrastructure facilities. Insincerity and corruption on the part of contractors; inadequate sensitization, poor coordination, narrow coverage, excessive politicization have been identified among others as the challenges facing the programme. The paper therefore recommended that poverty reduction programmes should be specific and non-directive to address one or two parameters like per capita income or Human Development Index (HDI), the scope of NAPEP is too broad and this in part has resulted to its failure, politicization of public programmes should be discouraged so that the real poor could benefit from these programmes; government and relevant stakeholders should ensure proper funding, monitoring and shun all manner of corruption. All these will go a long way to further enhance the crusade against poverty in Nigeria especially in Ebonyi State.

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