Impact assessment of N-Power scheme on human development in Bida Local Government Area, Niger State (2016–2020)

Abstract

This study, which has implications for future policy development, examined the effectuality and impact of the N-Power programme, a youth empowerment and poverty reduction programme in Bida Local Government Area, Niger State, Nigeria. The programme aimed to build human capacity and raise the quality of life. The study adopted human capital theory. Data were qualitatively and quantitatively collected via 320 questionnaires (285 returned) from a population of 1,598 N-Power beneficiaries. Despite reaching the target population, most disengaged beneficiaries affirmed the programme did not contribute significantly to capacity building as only a small subset of the participants acquired valuable and technical skills, thereby falling short of improving quality of lives. The authors suggest subsequent poverty reduction programmes should focus on Small and Medium Enterprises, and vocational/technical skills training, and the need for the development of a nation’s physical infrastructure which will serve as a ground floor in building human capacity.