Review of the Poverty Reduction Strategies in Nigeria: A Study of Fourth Republic (1999-2025)

Abstract

Poverty is a global peril affecting the overall development of many developing countries across Asia, Latin America, other African states and the federal republic of Nigeria in particular, hence, measures to address its effects were captured in the Millennium and Sustainable Development Goals. Despite all these economic, political, social strategies; out of school children, malnutrition, inadequate access to means of survival among others had rendered most of the reduction programs ineffective. Similarly, the indices of deprived health care services and joblessness were glaring. Consequently, the main objective of this study is to review the strategies adopted by the government in mitigate this social evil. In achieving these, a qualitative research approach was applied and collected data fr om secondary sources, mainly, journal articles and other internet resources. Content analysis was adopted in the presentation of the results. Findings from the study indicated that in spite of the attainment of uninterrupted democracy in the year 1999 till date, the indicators of multidimensional health care, unemployment, education and living standard in addition to other pointers had pushed families to misery. For instance, cooking fuel, water, floor, sanitation, assets and electricity are scarce especially in the rural areas. Furthermore, these malfunctions of the governance apparatus had manifested into kidnappings, insurgency, banditry, extra- judicial killings, farmers-herder’s conflicts, resurgences of separatist movement, tribalism and religious struggles bedeviling the dem ocratic rule. These situations tarnish initiatives, enthusiasms, self -control, ambition, love, discourage friendship, manmade disaster and un -patriotism, it also leads to economic, personal and political insecurity. The results identified good governance, anti-corruption policies, review of the policies and programs and introduction of agribusiness initiatives, food security and employment opportunities. The article recommended individual, community, states and national strategies. The involvement of all relevant stakeholders from Nongovernmental organizations and the organized private sector and attitudinal changes.