THE STATE AND POVERTY PROGRAMME FAILURES IN NIGERIA A HISTORICAL NARRATIVE

Abstract

The relevance of history in appreciating the past, understanding the present and predicting the future cannot be ignored. This paper explores the history of poverty policy failures in Nigeria. In its attempt to unveil the underlining reason for the inability of past poverty policies to reduce poverty in Nigeria, the study adopts the theory of post-colonial state. Data was collected through the qualitative method with reliance on secondary data sources like books, journals and other documentary materials. The study adopts qualitative descriptive data analysis. The paper highlights various past and current poverty reduction programmes articulated and implemented by the Nigeria state. It discovers that the culture of corruption inherent in Nigerian political environment accounts for the failure of these poverty reduction programmes to achieve their desired objectives. The paper affirms that unless, selfless and responsible political leadership is entrenched in Nigeria, the issue of poverty reduction shall remain unresolved.