The Effectiveness of Poverty Alleviation Policy: Why Is the Quality of Institutions the Bane in Nigeria?
̶ Review of Development and Change
In recent years, good governance has been widely acknowledged as the key determinant of economic development. The effective functioning of public institutions is critical to achieving improved growth (North, 1990), and the quality of institutions is paramount in enhancing economic growth (Abed & Gupta, 2002; Nondo et al., 2016).
Meaningful development, in short, can seldom come about in any country in which there is no modicum of confidence in public justice systems (Smith, 1776). Since a principal component of a good public system is the capacity to deliver sustainable services, progressing on the level of the institutional potency will inevitably engender substantial improvements across areas (regions and countries). Hence, effective government is a prerequisite condition for growth enhancement and poverty reduction1 (Kaufmann et al., 2004). A viable institutional framework could amplify the pro-poor effect of economic development.
In low-income
countries, the institutional role in advancing individuals’ welfare is
paramount. This recognition necessitates the inclusion of a governance-focused
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 16) in Agenda 2030, in contrast to scant
attention given to governance role in progress outcomes by the Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs; UN System Task Team on the Post-2015 UN Development Agenda, 2012).
Compared to other
developing regions during the MDGs period, the lopsided nature of poverty
alleviation in Africa might imply that robust institutions could help bridge
gross domestic product (GDP) growth–poverty reduction gap. In most African
countries, there have been cases of sustained growth with no corresponding
improvement in social welfare.
For instance, the
report has shown that Nigerian economy is one of the 10 fastest-growing
economies globally, with a growth rate averaging about 6%–7% in the last 10
years. After the rebasing of the economy in 2013, GDP values rose to US$509
billion by the year end, which made Nigeria the largest economy in Africa and
the 26th in the world (Enweremadu,
2013).
Yet poverty remains
endemic in the country. As Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics report (NBS, 2005) bears out, the percentage of the Nigerian
population classified as ‘extremely poor’ between 1980 and 2004 were 28.1 (in
1980), 46.3 (1985), 42.76 (1992), 65.6 (1996) and 54.4 (in 2004). Despite
numerous poverty alleviation programmes introduced by successive governments
[Universal Basic Education (UBE), National Poverty Eradication Programme
(NAPEP) and National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS)],
since 1980, there has been a significant increase in poverty rates in Nigeria.
Recent statistical
data (Table 1) on most social development indicators are
somewhat appalling. With 86.9 million of the population living in extreme
poverty, which represents almost 50% of its estimated total population, the
case of Nigeria has reached an alarming level, and the country is seen as ‘the
poverty capital of the world’ (Brookings Institution, 2018). Consequently, this question has continued to
agitate minds: Why has the poverty rate remained unabated despite the numerous
poverty alleviation policies introduced by the government?
.
.
.
Pretty good post. I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts read more
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this information. Dental academy , the institution with a unique curriculum and fusion of the best practices in Dental and Medical Sciences in association with LINCOLN UNIVERSITY (Malaysia). It is our everlasting passion that has driven us towards training our students with unsurpassed skills in Clinical, Academic and Research domains. Denntal academy in hyderabad
ReplyDeletePower BI is a collection of various tools and services, applications that collaborate to produce interactive visuals and business intelligence capabilities of data. It helps end-users very much. Learn Power BI in real-time with ITGuru.
ReplyDeletePower BI Online Training Hyderabad | power bi course
I’m really liking how better governance is upping the game for Nigeria. Like, better facilitation could even embark upon the nation being better than Rwanda. Plus, you can see the changes. Similar to how assignment help UK based changed the landscape of my college grades with picture perfect written joints. I might even travel to Nigeria next year, once I get my diploma.
ReplyDeleteDrake Drizzy Lil Wayne Jdm Available in size Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, XX-Large, 3XL, & 4XL
ReplyDeleteIf you do not see your size available, please message us!Orders are normally shipped VIA USPS
Domestic shipping usually takes 2-7 business days to arrive to buyer's shipping address