POVERTY INCIDENCES IN NIGERIA: CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES (1980-2008) (ECONOMICS PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS)
ABSTRACT
This study on the poverty incidences in Nigeria: causes and consequences, is an investigation into how the incidence of poverty has been in Nigeria over time specifically within the scope of 1980 to 2008. It examines the causes, consequences and measures of poverty.
A descriptive analysis was carried out within the given time frame (1980-2008) and the following data were considered to investigate the incidence of poverty in Nigeria and they include National Poverty trend, Relative Poverty Incidence by size of household in Nigeria, Contribution to poverty by size of Household, Relative Poverty Incidence by Educational level of Household head, Relative poverty incidence by occupation of household head, Aggregate living index in Nigeria, Education and social indicators. A major finding here is that with all these data, poverty incidence in Nigeria has increased overtime, rendering almost all the efforts of the Government futile; but with better policies, programmes, plans, especially perspective plans, structural change and implementation with effective monitoring and evaluation of outcome, this to a great extent will curb the havoc caused by poverty in Nigeria.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of Study
Poverty has registered its presence among every people, nations and continents on the earth hence we say that poverty is a global phenomenon. Poverty has narrow and broad views, because it is partly a physical and partly a relative phenomenon. it is physical because its effect can be noted in different ways on those afflicted by it. And it is relative because a poor person in one country may not be sensed as such in another country. It is a multidimensional issue that transcends economic analyses and prescription. A holistic view and diagnosis of poverty must include political, cultural and social dimensions. Taking a cue from this perspective, poverty is said to be divided into two;
(1) Income poverty which sees poverty just as lack of minimally adequate income for the basic necessities of live. And
(2) Human poverty which is a new approach to the concept of poverty, it was introduced in 1997 by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in their human development report, and this focused on the denial of opportunities and choices most basic to human development, such as choice to lead a healthy live, to enjoy a decent standard of living, it also recognize freedom, dignity, self esteem and respect for others. And it is seen as a process not a condition and it sees the poorest people not as passive victims but as active actors working against the process of impoverishment.
