Linking Safety Net Schemes and Poverty Alleviation in Nigeria

Abstract

This article discusses shared experiences of receiving safety net benefits by research participants and whether such benefits help poverty alleviation. Towards that end, it suggests improving safety net schemes. By following a qualitative research approach and purposive and snowball sampling methods, 24 beneficiaries were interviewed in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. With the aid of Nvivo 12pro, content and thematic technique were used to analyse the data. Key themes that shaped the participants’ experiences were: Institutional framework, strategic plan and documentation, continuous improvement and follow-up, community targeting and reliance on state support. It argues that the adoption of safety net schemes towards poverty alleviation needs to have an institutional framework and local engagement. Overall, it reenforces the government’s role in human capacity development by unravelling the relevance of policy and institutional programmes as a guiding path towards ameliorating the poverty level not only in Nigeria but also in similar countries in Africa.