Authors : Afolabi, Moshood Abiodun

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 7 - July

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/28mvtnye

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26jul1267

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Abstract : Poverty remains one of the most persistent and complex developmental challenges confronting Nigeria despite over two decades of uninterrupted democratic governance in the Fourth Republic. Since 1999, successive administrations have introduced various poverty alleviation initiatives aimed at reducing unemployment, improving living standards, and promoting inclusive growth. Programmes such as the Poverty Alleviation Programme under Olusegun Obasanjo, the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme under Goodluck Jonathan, the N-Power and Social Investment Programmes under Muhammadu Buhari, and recent social protection reforms under Bola Ahmed Tinubu reflect sustained governmental commitment to poverty reduction. However, empirical evidence continues to show high poverty incidence, rising multidimensional deprivation, and widening socio-economic inequalities across regions. This study critically examines poverty alleviation programmes implemented during Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, identifies structural and institutional challenges undermining their effectiveness, and proposes policy-driven strategies for sustainable poverty reduction. Drawing on secondary data and existing literature, the study argues that policy inconsistency, corruption, weak targeting mechanisms, inadequate monitoring, and political patronage have significantly limited programme outcomes. The study concludes that durable poverty alleviation in Nigeria requires institutional reform, transparent implementation frameworks, improved accountability mechanisms, and integration of social protection policies with long-term economic diversification strategies.

Keywords : Development Policy, Governance, Policy Implementation, Poverty Alleviation, Social Investment Programmes.

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