THE EFFECT OF NATIONAL SOCIAL INVESTMENT PROGRAMS AGENCY ON POVERTY REDUCTION IN SOUTH EAST NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated the Effect of the National Social Investment ProgramsAgency on Poverty Reduction in South East Nigeria from 2015 - 2023. Specifically, the studyis designed to examine the effect of the N-power program on job creation in Southeast EastNigeria, ascertain the effect of the Government Enterprise and Empowerment program inenhancing small-scale business in Southeast East Nigeria, determine the effect of conditionalcash transfer in addressing income inequality in south East Nigeria. The study was carried outin five randomly selected major cities in South East Nigeria (Enugu, Umuahia, Abakaliki,Anambra, and Owerri). The study employed survey research method. The population for thestudy comprised eight hundred and seventy-six (2876) residents in the five selected major citiesin South East Nigeria, while three hundred and fifty-one (351) respondents were sampled usingTaro Yamane sampling techniques. A questionnaire designed by the researcher served as theinstrument for data collection. The data collected were analysed using simple percentages whilethe hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance using chi-square. The findings of thestudy revealed that the National Social Investment Program has a positive significant effect inenhancing the standard of living in South East Nigeria; the National Social Investment Programhas a positive significant effect in creating job opportunities in South East Nigeria. Based onthe findings of the study, the following recommendations were made: national socialinvestment agency should develop programs that are tailored to the specific needs andchallenges of South East Nigeria, which will help address the succession agitation in the area;local communities should be actively engaged in planning and implementation of socialinvestment programs; national social investment program should focus in investing ineducation and vocational training programs to equip individuals with the skill needed forgainful employment.