Social Capital and Poverty Reduction in Nigeria: A Case Study of Minna Metropolis

Abstract

The prevailing economic situation in Nigeria and the importance attached to the social capital as a solution to social interaction provides for an examination of its relevance to poverty reduction in Minna metropolis. To this end, social capital has been described as an empirically elusive concept, yet has also been heralded as the glue that holds communities together. While there has been much debate about its definition see (winter 2000). Using a set up household data generated from the administration of structured questionnaire to 600 households in Minna metropolis, a multiple linear regression analysis and a participatory poverty assessment methods, this paper examines the role of social capital on poverty reduction in Minna metropolis. The results obtained shows that social capital are positively related to poverty reduction in the metropolis, thus , fulfilling our a-priori expectation that state that the more social capital building by the people in the metropolis , the more they find themselves out of poverty. The results notwithstanding, policy measure that would continue to make social capital relevant to poverty reduction were suggested.