The Role of NGOs in Poverty Eradication in Nigeria: A Study of Selected Communities in Kwara State

Abstract

Poverty is an issue that ravages every part of the world, including Nigeria and Kwara State. With the nation rich in human and material resources, the apparent disconnection between such endowment and poverty rate has become worrisome. It is against this background that the study examines the impact of Non-State Actors (NGOs) intervention on poverty alleviation in selected communities of Kwara State. Quantitative and qualitative source of data was established in both primary and secondary form. While the quantitative data was analysed via questionnaires from selected communities across the three senatorial districts of the state, qualitative data elicited information through secondary sources such as journals, textbooks and the internet. A performance failure theory captured the essence of Non-State Actors in poverty alleviation in the selected communities  The research identifies absent of a roadmap, a lack of funds, and a language barrier between the NGOs and the locals. It was also discovered that some communities faced impediments such as the absence of farm implements, lack of access to information and deficiency in outreach programs, especially public policies. The study recommends an established synergy between Government and Non-Governmental Organisations for a better policy output, road facilities to the public through the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), modern communication equipment and safety mechanisms. Encouraging Government Non-Governmental Organisations to enhance good monitoring of government policies by the NGOs, along with an established rural settlement embedded with a good feedback mechanism and data collection, has been put forward for the research work.