Persistent Poverty, Unemployment and Social Exclusion in Nigeria: Challenges and Policy Options

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Date
2013
Authors
Fashola, M.A.
Nwakeze, N.M.
Ogunniyi, M.B.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
OGUAA Journal of Social Sciences (JOSS)
Abstract
Despite the abundance of wealth endowed in Nigeria, then country is still bedevilled by the triangular milieu of poverty, unemployment and social exclusion. Social exclusion has become so apparent that Nigerians are facing a combination of linked problems that are mutually reinforcing such as unemployment, poor skills and education, low income and poor housing and high level of insecurity. This paper therefore investigates in comprehensive terms the role played by employment and social exclusion in determining the persistent poverty in Nigeria. IT identifies veritable indicators of social exclusion ; It furthers shows the interactions of these indicators with unemployment and poverty. Data used for these study were drawn from publications on Nigeria by World bank ; World Development indicators and Global Development Finance(2012). The outcome of our study indicates the social exclusion has cumulated into poverty, lack of education and unemployment in the country. Interestingly the findings revealed that high employment rates in Nigeria may not necessary translate into a reduction in poverty levels and the rationale for such an occurrence is contained in the rising level of underemployment. Monetary policies may have some positive impact with regards to reducing poverty but it has not done enough as the monetary policies are yet to trickle down to the poor masses that constitute over 60% of the Nigerian population. Access to financial services and educational attainment variables suggests a rather poor connection between poverty and social exclusion as well. It is recommended that a more focused development programme by the government towards youth empowerment would reduce the prevailing level of insecurity in the country.
Description
Scholarly articles
Keywords
Social Exclusion , Poverty , Unemployment , Insecurity , Research Subject Categories::SOCIAL SCIENCES::Business and economics::Economics
Citation
Fashola M.A; Nwakeze N.M. and Ogunniyi, M.B. (2013); Persistent Poverty, Unemployment and Social Exclusion in Nigeria: Challenges and Policy Options. OGUAA Journal of Social Sciences (JOSS). Cape Coast, Ghana. Volume 7, Number 1 Pages 176-199.