Benue State University, Makurdi

AN ASSESSMENT OF THE NATIONAL POVERTY ERADICATION PROGRAMME : EVIDENCE FROM BENUE STATE

Terungwa Paul Joseph JATO

Abstract

The paradox of Nigeria‟s situation – a country rich in human and natural resources yet in poverty and generally underdeveloped – has left much to marvel. The situation seems to be getting worse even as more efforts are said to be channeled towards ameliorating it. Out of deep concern for the country and in attempt to proffering solutions to the problem, many arguments have ensued as to where actually the cause of the problem lies. Is it the state of the economy or the polity of the country that should be blamed? Many have wondered. It is in response to this wrangling debate that this work is done to elucidate what problems of a society are economic and those which are political and beyond this, identify which of these are responsible for Nigeria‟s predicament. A careful and in-depth review of theory was then done and juxtaposed with practical situation. This led to the conclusion of the paper that, Nigeria‟s conundrum is more of political origin than economic. Identified, among others, as the root cause of the problem is the misused and excessive level of government intervention in the economy. The work thus suggests minimal government intervention and the restructuring of the political process of the state as the way out.

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