Interrogating the Concept of Poverty and Challenges of Development in Nigeria

Abstract

Poverty has become an intractable social phenomenon affecting almost all the nations of the world, especially in the continent of Africa and Nigeria in particular. The rising poverty situation has been attributed by many scholars to the poor development deficits plaguing most of the nation states. This paper examines the phenomenon of poverty and the challenges of development in Nigeria. The objective is to show the relationship between development and poverty reduction/alleviation. To critically do this, the paper adopts the descriptive analytical tool of investigating the subject matter of the study. Findings of the study also revealed that poverty is endemic amongst several nations. The findings of the study revealed that corruption, poor leadership and government policy failure are the causes of increasing poverty amongst the citizens. Furthermore, findings revealed that where there is quality and focused leadership, good governance and socioeconomic development capable of enhancing the wellbeing of the citizens and reducing poverty will be achieved. The paper, therefore, recommends amongst several others, that a focused and quality leadership that will reduce waste and invest in socioeconomic development that will enhance the standard of living and reduce poverty to its barest minimum among the people should be put in place, and that corruption and lack of clear cut policy should be abolished to enhance development and reduce poverty.