Evaluation of the Impact of Poverty Reduction Programs in Nigeria

This work is an evaluation of the impact of poverty reduction program embarked upon by the government of Ebonyi State Nigeria. A community based program aimed at reducing the poverty level of the rural community dwellers where over seventy percent of the population resides. The program was a lofty idea, but the findings of the study revealed that the implementation was marred by corruption, political interference, nepotism, lack of fund, over-dependence on foreign assistance and lack of political will and commitment on the side of government. Though some structures were on the ground to show that the program was implemented in some selected communities in the state, yet most of these structures were not put to use for the purposes they were meant for, while the few in use do not have the needed facilities. The program as revealed by the findings, has not impacted significantly on the benefiting communities as the rate of poverty is still very high in these areas.